Patent Publication Number: US-2013254679-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for creating e-mail in a portable terminal

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 20, 2012 and assigned Serial No. 10-2012-0028435, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for creating an e-mail in a portable terminal using a template. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, when a user uses an e-mail in a Personal Computer (PC) environment, if the mail has to be created in a particular format, a specific template is retrieved for a display according to the selection made by the user. 
     In a general PC environment, a search window and a number of lists for item selection are all provided on a single screen during a search mode, whereas in a smart phone environment, the user has to undergo several steps, such as a menu step, to enter a search mode, and then further perform the screen manipulation for further selection. Also, a displayed screen size is limited, such that the number of lists which can be displayed on a single screen is limited. This situation is equally applied to when a search result is shown on a search window, and thus the search interface in the general PC environment for templates is not suitable for use in the smart phone environment. 
     Moreover, when the user uses a function of directly editing and storing a provided template, the user is conveniently provided with a keyboard and a mouse when editing a text in the general PC environment, but this convenience is not available in the smart phone environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for creating an e-mail in a portable terminal, by which the e-mail can be created using a template. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for creating an e-mail in a portable terminal includes a display unit comprising an input region and a display region, and a controller for retrieving a template corresponding to a search gesture generated on the display unit for a display during an e-mail creation mode. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for creating an e-mail in a portable terminal includes a memory for storing templates, and a controller for storing a new template comprising only a text selected in a template displayed during an e-mail mode. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for creating an e-mail in a portable terminal includes determining whether a search gesture is generated on a display unit during an e-mail creation mode and, if so, retrieving a template corresponding to the generated search gesture for a display. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for creating an e-mail in a portable terminal includes displaying a template in an e-mail mode and storing a new template comprising only a text selected in the displayed template. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a process of editing a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a process of editing a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a process of editing a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a process of editing a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams for describing displaying of a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are diagrams for describing editing of a template in an e-mail creation mode of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that throughout the drawings, like components are referred to as like reference numerals. 
     In the present invention, a template refers to a document format, for example, an agreement, a resume, a cover letter, attendance/absence, or the like. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a Radio Frequency (RF) unit  123  performs a radio communication function of the portable terminal. The RF unit  123  includes an RF transmitter for up-converting a frequency of a transmission signal and amplifying the transmitted signal and an RF receiver for low-noise amplifying a received signal and down-converting the frequency of the received signal. A data processor  120  includes a transmitter for encoding and modulating the transmission signal and a receiver for demodulating and decoding the received signal. That is, the data processor  120  may include a modem and a codec. Herein, the codec includes a data codec for processing packet data and an audio codec for processing an audio signal such as voice. An audio processor  125  reproduces a received audio signal being output from the audio codec of the data processor  120  or transmits a transmission audio signal generated from a microphone to the audio codec of the data processor  120 . 
     A key input unit  127  includes keys for inputting numeric and character information and functional keys for setting various functions. 
     A memory  130  includes program and data memories. The program memory stores programs for controlling a general operation of the portable terminal and programs for displaying a template through a search gesture in an e-mail creation mode and editing a template in an e-mail mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data memory also temporarily stores data generated during execution of the programs. 
     The memory  130  stores various types of templates in an e-mail template database (DB)  131  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     A controller  110  functions to control the overall operation of the portable terminal. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller  110  searches for and displays a template corresponding to a search gesture generated on a display unit ( 160 ) during the e-mail creation mode. To this end, upon generation of the search gesture including a touch on a predetermined key in an input region  162  of the display unit and a subsequent drag to a display region  161  during the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  searches for and displays templates whose titles include a character corresponding to the selected predetermined key. In this case, the controller  110  retrieves and displays templates whose titles include a character disposed on the predetermined key as a first character thereof. 
     Alternatively, if the search gesture including a touch on a predetermined key in the input region  162  of the display unit and a subsequent drag to the display region  161  is generated at least two times within a predetermined time during the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  searches for and displays templates whose titles sequentially include characters disposed on at least two keys which are touched sequentially. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, upon generation of the search gesture including a touch on a predetermined key in the input region  162  of the display unit and a subsequent drag to the display region  161  during the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  searches for and displays templates whose titles include a character disposed on the predetermined key. During a display of the found templates, upon generation of a search gesture including a touch on another key in the input region  162  of the display unit and a subsequent drag to the display region  161 , the controller  110  retrieves and displays a template whose title includes the character displayed on another key among the templates displayed on the display region  161 . In this case, the controller  110  searches for templates whose titles include the character displayed on the predetermined key as a first character and then searches among the found templates for a template whose title includes the character displayed on another key as a second character. 
     Alternatively, upon generation of the search gesture including touches on at least two keys in the input region ( 162 ) of the display unit and a subsequent drag to the display region ( 161 ) in the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  searches for and displays templates whose titles sequentially include characters corresponding to the at least two keys that are sequentially touched. 
     While a template is searched by inputting a character in the input region of the display unit and then generating a drag to the display region of the display unit during the e-mail creation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention, a template may also be searched by inputting a character through the key input unit and then generating a drag in a predetermined direction in the display unit which in turn displays only the display region without the input region or by generating a drag to the display region from the input region. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, when at least one characters are input together with a special character in the input region  162  of the display unit ( 160 ) and thus are displayed in the display region  161  of the display unit ( 160 ) during the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  searches for and displays templates whose titles include the at least one characters input together with the special character. The controller  110  searches for and displays templates whose titles sequentially include the at least one characters input together with the special character. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the controller  110  stores a template including only a text selected from the template displayed in the e-mail mode as a new template. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the controller  110  converts the e-mail mode into a template editing mode if edition is selected during displaying of the template during the e-mail mode, and stores a template including only a text selected from a text of the template in the template editing mode by a dragging operation as a new template. In this case, the controller  110  selects the text for which the dragging operation is performed in word units or in word spacing units. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the controller  110  converts the e-mail mode into the template editing mode if edition is selected during displaying of the template during the e-mail mode, and if the entire text of the template is selected and then selection of at least one words is released in the template editing mode, then the controller  110  stores only a text excluding the selection-released words as a new template. In this case, the controller  110  selects the entire text of the template in word units or word spacing units, and upon generation of touches on at least one words of the selected text, the controller  110  releases selection of the at least one words or a phrase including the at least one words. 
     Alternatively, the controller  110  converts the e-mail mode into the template editing mode if edition is selected during displaying of the template in the e-mail mode, displays font types used in the template in the template editing mode, and stores only a text using a selected font as a new template. 
     Alternatively, the controller  110  converts the e-mail mode into the template editing mode if edition is selected during displaying of the template in the e-mail mode, displays font types used in the template in the template editing mode, and stores only the remaining text excluding the text using the selected font as a new template. 
     A camera module  140  captures an image, and may include a camera sensor for converting an optical signal of the captured image into an electrical signal, and a signal processor for converting an analog image signal of the image captured by the camera sensor into digital data. Herein, it is assumed that the camera sensor is a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensor or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, and the signal processor may be implemented as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). In addition, the camera sensor and the signal processor may be implemented as one piece or separately. 
     The image processor  150  performs Image Signal Processing (ISP) to display an image signal output from the camera module  140  on a display unit  160 . The ISP executes functions such as gamma correction, interpolation, color space conversion, image effect, image scale, Auto White Balance (AWB), Auto Exposure (AE) and Auto Focus (AF). Thus, the image processor  150  processes the image signal output from the camera module  140  in the unit of a frame, and outputs frame image data adaptively to the features and size of the display unit  160 . The image processor  150  includes an image codec, and compresses the frame image data displayed on the display unit  160  in a preset manner or restores the compressed frame image data to the original frame image data. Herein, the image codec may be Joint Picture Experts Group (JPEG) codec, Moving Picture Experts Group 4 (MPEG4) codec, or Wavelet codec. It is assumed that the image processor  150  has an on screen display (OSD) function. The image processor  150  may output OSD data according to the displayed picture size under the control of the controller  110 . 
     The display unit  160  displays an image signal output from the image processor  150  on the screen and displays user data output from the controller  110 . Herein, the display unit  160  may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), and in this case, the display unit  160  may include an LCD controller, a memory capable of storing image data, an LCD element, and so on. When the LCD is implemented with a touch screen, it may also serve as an input unit, and in this case, keys such as the key input unit  127  may be displayed on the display unit  160 . 
     The display unit  160  may include the display region  161  and the input region  162 , and the input region  162  of the display unit  160  may display the keys of the key input unit ( 127 ) which includes keys for inputting numeric and character information and function keys for setting various functions. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 through 11 , a detailed description will be made regarding an operation of creating an e-mail using a template according to the teachings of the present invention. 
     First, an operation of displaying a template in the portable terminal will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 11A  and  11 B. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template during the e-mail creation mode of the portable terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams for describing displaying of a template during the e-mail creation mode of the portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described also with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , upon selection of an e-mail creation request during the e-mail mode of the portable terminal, the controller  110  senses the selection and switches to the e-mail creation mode in step  201 . 
     In the e-mail creation mode, the display unit  160  is displayed showing the display region  161  and the input unit  162 ; the display region  161  displays e-mail related contents according to an input on the input region  162 ; and the input region  162  displays a plurality of keys for receiving a touch input thereon. 
     Upon generation of a drag motion to the display region  161  after the generation of a touch on a predetermined one of the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162 , the controller  110  senses the drag motion in step  202  and searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for templates whose titles include a character corresponding to the touched predetermined key and then displays the found templates on the display region  161  in step  203 . 
     In step  203 , according to settings, the controller  110  may search for and display templates whose titles include the character corresponding to the touched predetermined key as its first character. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , which shows a working example of the process shown in  FIG. 2 , upon generation of a drag motion to the display region  161  after the generation of a touch on a predetermined key  162   a  among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  during the e-mail creation mode, then the controller  110  searches in the e-mail template DB  131  for templates including a character “ ” corresponding to the activated predetermined key  162   a  as a first character in titles thereof, e.g., “  (contract)”, “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)”. Then, the templates found in the e-mail template DB  131  are displayed sequentially as image screens on the display unit  161  as shown in  FIG. 11B . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template during the e-mail creation mode of the portable terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , upon selection of e-mail creation during the e-mail mode of the portable terminal, the controller  110  senses the selection and switches to the e-mail creation mode in step  301 . 
     In the e-mail creation mode, the display unit  160  is displayed showing the display region  161  and the input unit  162 ; the display region  161  displays e-mail related contents according to an input on the input region  162 ; and the input region  162  displays the plurality of keys for receiving a touch input thereon. 
     Upon generation of a drag motion to the display region  161  after the generation of a touch on a predetermined key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  during the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  senses the generation in step  302  and determines whether a drag to the display region  161  is generated after the generation of a touch on another key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  prior to the elapse of a predetermined time in step  305 . 
     Upon generation of another drag to the display region  161  after the generation of a touch on another key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  prior to the elapse of the predetermined time, then the controller  110  senses the generation in steps  303  and  304 , and then determines again whether another drag to the display region  161  is detected. 
     During repetition processes of steps  303  through  305 , unless the a drag to the display region  161  is generated, the controller  110  senses the non-generation in step  305 , and then searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for templates whose titles sequentially include characters corresponding to at least two keys which are sequentially touched on the input region  162  during steps  303  through  305  and displays the found templates on the display region  161  in step  306 . 
     Accordingly, at least two templates having matched characters are displayed on the display region  161  as images, and upon user&#39;s selection of one of them, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  307  and displays only the selected template in step  308 . 
     Note that the keys touched on the input region  162  in steps  302  and  304  may be identical or different keys. 
     For example, if a drag to the display region  161  is generated after the generation of a touch on a predetermined key on which the character “ ” is disposed among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162 , and if a touch on another key on which a character “ ” is disposed among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  is generated prior to the elapse of the predetermined time, and then a drag to the display region  161  is generated and sensed, then the controller  110  searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for templates whose titles sequentially include the character “ ” and the character “ ”, e.g., the templates “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)”. The controller  110  may also display the templates “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)” found in the e-mail template DB  131  as images on the display region  161 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template during the e-mail creation mode of the portable terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , upon selection of e-mail creation during the e-mail mode of the portable terminal, the controller  110  senses the selection and switches to the e-mail creation mode in step  401 . 
     In the e-mail creation mode, the display unit  160  is displayed showing the display region  161  and the input unit  162 ; the display region  161  displays e-mail related contents according to an input on the input region  162 ; and the input region  162  displays the plurality of keys for a touch input. 
     Upon generation of a drag to the display region  161  after the generation of a touch on a predetermined key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  during the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  senses the generation in step  402  and searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for templates whose titles include a character corresponding to the touched predetermined key and displays the found templates on the display region  161  in step  403 . 
     In step  403 , according to settings, the controller  110  may search for and display templates whose titles include the character corresponding to the touched predetermined key as its first character. 
     If a drag to the display region  161  is generated after the generation of a touch on another key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  during displaying of the templates whose titles include the character disposed on the touched predetermined key in step  403 , then the controller  110  senses the generation in step  404 , and searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for a template whose title includes a character disposed on another key touched in step  404  among the displayed templates and displays the found template in step  405 . 
     In step  405 , according to settings, the controller  110  may search for and display a template whose title includes the character disposed on the touched another key as the next character among the displayed templates. 
     When the templates found during repetition of steps  404  and  405  are displayed, if one template is selected by the user, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  406  and displays only the selected template in step  407 . 
     The keys touched on the input region  162  in steps  402  and  404  may be identical or different keys. For example, upon generation of a drag to the display region  161  after the generation of a touch on the predetermined key on which the character “ ” is disposed among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  in the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  senses the generation, and searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for templates whose titles include the character “ ” as its first character, e.g., the templates “  (contract)”, “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)”, and displays the found templates as images on the display region  161 . Upon generation of a drag to the display region  161  after generation of a touch on a predetermined key on which the character “ ” is disposed among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162 , then the controller  110  senses the generation, and searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for the templates whose titles include the character “ ” as the next character, i.e., the second character, such as the templates “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)”, among the displayed templates “  (contract)”, “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)”, and displays the found templates as images on the display region  161 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template during the e-mail creation mode of the portable terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , upon selection of e-mail creation during the e-mail mode of the portable terminal, the controller  110  senses the selection and switches to the e-mail creation mode in step  501 . 
     In the e-mail creation mode, the display unit  160  is displayed showing the display region  161  and the input unit  162 ; the display region  161  displays e-mail related contents according to an input on the input region  162 ; and the input region  162  displays the plurality of keys for a touch input. 
     Upon generation of a drag to the display region  161  after the generation of a touch on a predetermined key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  during the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  senses the generation in step  502  and determines whether a touch on another key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  is generated prior to the elapse of a predetermined time in step  502 . 
     Upon generation of a touch on another key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  prior to the elapse of the predetermined time, then the controller  110  senses the generation in steps  503  and  504 , and determines again whether a touch on another key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  is generated prior to the elapse of the predetermined time in step  504 . 
     Upon generation of a drag to the display region  161  from the input region  162  after the elapse of the predetermined time without generation of a touch on any key on the input region  162  during repetition of steps  504  and  505 , then the controller  110  senses the generation in step  506 , and searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for templates whose titles sequentially include characters disposed on at least two keys touched during steps  504  and  505 , and displays the found templates on the display region  161  in step  507 . 
     Alternatively, upon generation of a drag to the display region  161  immediately after the generation of a touch on a particular key on the input region  162  during steps  504  and  505 , then the controller  110  searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for templates whose titles sequentially include characters disposed on at least two keys touched during repetition of steps  504  and  505  and displays the found templates on the display region  161  in step  507 . 
     Thereafter, at least two templates displayed on the display region  161  may be displayed as images, and upon user&#39;s selection of one of them, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  508  and displays only the selected template in step  509 . 
     The keys touched on the input region  162  in steps  502  and  504  may be identical or different keys. For example, if, in the e-mail creation mode, a touch is generated on the predetermined key on which the character “ ” is disposed among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162 , a touch is generated on the predetermined key on which the character “ ” is disposed among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162 , and then a drag to the display region  161  is generated, the controller  110  searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for templates whose titles sequentially include the character “ ” and the character “ ”, e.g., the templates “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)”. The controller  110  may display the templates “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)” found in the e-mail template DB  131  as images on the display region  161 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a process of displaying a template during the e-mail creation mode of the portable terminal according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , upon selection of e-mail creation in the e-mail mode of the portable terminal, the controller  110  senses the selection and switches to the e-mail creation mode in step  601 . 
     In the e-mail creation mode, the display unit  160  is displayed showing the display region  161  and the input unit  162 ; the display region  161  displays e-mail related contents according to an input on the input region  162 ; and the input region  162  displays the plurality of keys for a touch input. 
     During the e-mail creation mode, if at least one characters together with a special character are input and displayed in a title input box or a contents input box displayed on the display region  161  through the input region  162  of the display unit ( 160 ) or the key input unit  127 , then the controller  110  senses the input and display in step  602 , and searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for templates whose titles sequentially include the input at least one characters and displays the found templates as images on the display region  161  in step  603 . 
     During a display of the at least one templates as images in step  503 , upon user&#39;s selection of one of them, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  604  and displays only the selected template in step  605 . 
     For example, upon input of “* ” or “ *” in the title input box of the display region  161  during the e-mail creation mode, the controller  110  senses the input and searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for the templates whose titles include the character “ ” as its first character, e.g., the templates “  (contract)”, “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)”, and displays the found templates as images on the display region  161 . 
     Alternatively, upon input of “* ” or “ *” in the title input box of the display region  161  during the e-mail creation mode, then controller  110  senses the input and searches in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  for the templates whose titles include “ ”, e.g., the templates “  1(attendance/absence 1)”, “  2(attendance/absence 2)”, and “  3(attendance/absence 3)”, and displays the found templates as images on the display region  161 . 
     During a display of the found templates, a character together with a special character may be input in the title input box of the display region  161  to search for a template whose title includes the input character among the displayed templates and display the found template. 
     During a display of the found templates, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a drag to the display region ( 161 ) may be generated after the generation of a touch on a predetermined key among the plurality of keys displayed on the input region  162  to search for a template whose title includes a character disposed on the touched key among the displayed templates and display the found template. 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 7 through 10 , a detailed description will be made of an operation of editing a template in the portable terminal. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a process of editing a template in the e-mail creation mode of the portable terminal according another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , in step  701  which is the e-mail mode including the e-mail creation mode for e-mail creation or an e-mail reception mode for viewing a received e-mail, a template found in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  through  FIGS. 2 through 5  is displayed or a template included in the received e-mail is displayed in step  702 , and upon selection of editing, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  703  and switches to the template editing mode in step  704 . 
     Upon generation of a drag on a predetermined text of the template displayed on the display unit  160  during the template editing mode, the controller  110  senses the generation in step  705  and selects the dragged text in step  706 . 
     In step  706 , the controller  110  may further select the selected text in word units or word spacing units through the dragging action. 
     Upon selection of storing during selection of the text through the dragging action, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  707 , and displays and stores a new template including only the text selected by the dragging action in the text of the template in step  708 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B  as an example to describe the process of  FIG. 7 , during a display of a template on the display unit  160  as shown in  FIG. 12A , upon generation of a drag in a direction (a) and a drag in a direction (b) as shown in  FIG. 12B , the controller  110  selects a text on which the drag in the direction (a) is generated (“Attendance/Absence is Noticed as Follows”), in word spacing units, and selects a text on which the drag in the direction (b) is generated (“Attendant/Absentee”, “Attendance/Absence Date”, “Attendance/Absence Reason”, and “Contact”) in word units, and then upon user&#39;s selection of storing, the controller  110  stores a new template including only the text on which the drag in the direction (a) is generated and the text on which the drag in the direction (b) is generated. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a process of editing a template in the e-mail creation mode of the portable terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , in step  801  which is the e-mail mode including the e-mail creation mode for e-mail creation or an e-mail reception mode for viewing a received e-mail, a template found in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  through  FIGS. 2 through 6  is displayed or a template included in the received e-mail is displayed in step  802 , and upon selection of editing, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  803  and switches to the template editing mode in step  804 . 
     Upon generation of ‘select all’ with respect to the text of the template displayed on the display unit  160  in the template editing mode, the controller  110  senses generation and selects the entire text of the template in step  805 . The selection of the entire text of the template may be performed by a particular menu function or a dragging action. After selection of the entire text of the template, if ‘release selection’ with respect to at least one words in the selected text is generated, the controller  110  senses the generation in step  806  and determines the selection-released at least one words in the entire text of the template or a phrase including the at least one words in step  806 . ‘Release selection’ may be performed by a touch or drag on a corresponding word. 
     Thereafter, upon user&#39;s selection of storing, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  807 , and displays and stores a new template including only the text excluding the selection-released at least one words or a phrase including the selection-released at least one words in step  808 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a process of editing a template during the e-mail mode of the portable terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , in step  901  which is the e-mail mode including the e-mail creation mode for e-mail creation or an e-mail reception mode for viewing a received e-mail, a template found in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  through  FIGS. 2 through 6  is displayed or a template included in the received e-mail is displayed in step  902 , and upon selection of editing, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  903  and switches to the template editing mode in step  904 . 
     During a display of the template on the display unit  160  during the template editing mode, upon selection of ‘display font type’, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  905  and displays font types used in the template in step  906 . The font types displayed in the step  906  are distinguished by corresponding colors and, also in the text of the template, each font type is displayed in a corresponding color thereof, such that the font types used in the template can be easily distinguished. 
     During a display of the font types, upon user&#39;s selection of at least one fonts, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  907  and determines a text using the selected at least one fonts. Upon user&#39;s selection of storing, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  908  and displays and stores a new template including only the text using the selected at least one fonts in step  909 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a process of editing a template in the e-mail creation mode of the portable terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 10 , in step  1001  which is the e-mail mode including the e-mail creation mode for e-mail creation or an e-mail reception mode for viewing a received e-mail, a template found in the e-mail template DB  131  of the memory  130  through  FIGS. 2 through 6  is displayed or a template included in the received e-mail is displayed in step  1002 , and upon selection of editing, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  1003  and switches to the template editing mode in step  1004 . 
     During a display of the template on the display unit  160  in the template editing mode, upon selection of ‘display font type’, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  1005  and displays font types used in the template in step  1006 . The font types displayed in step  1006  are distinguished by corresponding colors and, also in the text of the template, each font type is displayed in a corresponding color, such that the font types used in the template can be easily distinguished. 
     During a display of the font types, upon user&#39;s selection of at least one font types, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  1007  and determines a text using the selected at least one font types. Upon user&#39;s selection of storing, the controller  110  senses the selection in step  1008  and displays and stores a new template including only the remaining text excluding the text using the selected at least one font types in step  1009 . 
     As is apparent from the foregoing description, by providing an apparatus and method for creating an e-mail in the portable terminal, the e-mail can be conveniently created by using a template. 
     The above-described methods according to the present invention can be implemented in hardware, firmware or as software or computer code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM, an RAM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or computer code downloaded over a network originally stored on a remote recording medium or a non-transitory machine readable medium and to be stored on a local recording medium, so that the methods described herein can be rendered in such software that is stored on the recording medium using a general purpose computer, or a special processor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer, the processor, microprocessor controller or the programmable hardware include memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. that may store or receive software or computer code that when accessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware implement the processing methods described herein. In addition, it would be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses code for implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of the code transforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computer for executing the processing shown herein. 
     While detailed embodiments of the present invention, such as a portable terminal, have been described, various modifications can be carried out without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is not defined by the foregoing embodiment of the invention, but should be defined by claims and equivalents thereof.