Patent Description:
Since an electronic terminal supports a specific user function and the size thereof is small so that the user may carry the electronic terminal, the electronic terminals highlighted in many industrial and living fields. Further, in the prior art, a portable terminal integrally supporting various user functions has been introduced. Such a portable terminal provides a screen corresponding to a user function through a display unit while supporting the user function. Accordingly, the user uses a specific user function to use and enjoy contents items through a screen according to an operation of a corresponding function.

Meanwhile, to increase the size of a display unit, a technique of a full touch screen form using an entire surface of a terminal has been spotlighted in the prior art. The touch panel technique includes a capacitive type detecting change of capacitance on the screen to detect a touch thereto, and a resistive type detecting the variation in resistance according to a pressure variation on the screen during a touch to detect the touch thereto.

As the size of a display unit is increased, it is difficult to generate a signal using an input area output on the display unit. For example, an area of a display unit provided in an adopted state of a large screen makes it difficult to control an input area while gripping the terminal by a hand. In particular, since the input area receives allocation of an area of the display unit including a location which the user has a difficulty in gripping and is displayed, there is a need to move a hand or to use two hands in order to use the input area by the user.

"<NPL>) shows an electronic device displaying a keypad.

<CIT> discloses that the size, shape, and arrangement of keys on a virtual keyboard may be determined based on touchscreen contacts made by the user. Further, the actual contact patch made by the user may be analyzed to interpret which point of contact was intended, and other factors such as spelling and context may also be considered. These factors may be determined based on a calibration session and/or on continuing inputs during operation of the keyboard, and applied to future operational interpretations of the touchscreen contacts.

<CIT> discloses a mobile terminal provided with a touch screen for displaying and inputting data, a detection unit for detecting the input path of the diagonal line upon input through the touch screen, a set unit for setting the user's operating hand based on the input path, and the display control unit for displaying the display mode determined based on the operating hand.

<CIT> discloses a graphical text entry system. The graphical text entry system includes a graphical text entry screen, preferably on a small electronic device, and a graphical text entry wheel displayed on the graphical text entry screen. A plurality of characters are positioned on the graphical text entry wheel. The system also includes a pointing device for rotating the graphical text entry wheel to allow a user to select one of the characters on the graphical text entry wheel to be entered. After selection of one or more characters, the graphical text entry system may provide suggested next characters or words to aid in text entry. A method for entering text into an electronic device using the graphical text entry system of the invention is also provided.

The motion of the hand in a state that the user grips the terminal by one hand lowers usability of the terminal for the user. If a case of using one hand is more difficult than a case of using two hands upon using a portable terminal, the use of the two hands lowers the usability of the terminal.

The scope of the present invention is determined according to the independent claims. Various embodiments of the present invention are outlined in the dependent claims.

The present invention may provide a method of operating a display unit so that functionality of one hand control can be maximized and a terminal supporting the same.

The present invention may further provide a method of operating a display unit so that various input areas supporting generation of an input signal of the terminal can be provided as an area which can be controlled by one hand.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention.

Some constituent elements shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted or schematically drawn for the purpose of convenience or clarity. In addition, the size of elements does not utterly reflect an actual size. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to a relative size and interval shown in the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. In addition, terms described herein, which are defined with reference to the functions of the present invention, may be implemented differently depending on a user or operator's intention and practice. Therefore, the terms should be understood on the basis of the disclosure throughout the specification. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, although the drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated or omitted in order to more clearly illustrate and explain the present invention.

Among the terms set forth herein, a terminal refers to any kind of device capable of processing data which is transmitted or received to or from any external entity. The terminal may display icons or menus on a screen to which stored data and various executable functions are assigned or mapped. The terminal may include a computer, a notebook, a tablet PC, a mobile device, and the like.

Among the terms set forth herein, a screen refers to a display or other output devices which visually display information to the user, and which optionally are capable of receiving and electronically processing tactile inputs from a user using a stylo, a finger of the user, or other techniques for conveying a user selection from the user to the output devices.

Among the terms set forth herein, an icon refers to a graphical element such as a figure or a symbol displayed on the screen of the device such that a user can easily select a desired function or data. In particular, each icon has a mapping relation with any function being executable in the device or with any data stored in the device and is used for processing functions or selecting data in the device. When a user selects one of the displayed icons, the device identifies a particular function or data associated with the selected icon. Then the device executes the identified function or displays the identified data.

Among the terms set forth herein, data refers to any kind of information processed by the device, including text and/or images received from any external entities, messages transmitted or received, and information created when a specific function is executed by the device.

Among the terms set forth herein, input module refers to an area, region, map, or portion of a screen displayed by a display device or unit.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the terminal <NUM> of the present invention may include a communication unit <NUM>, an input unit <NUM>, an audio processor <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> supports landscape mode conversion and portrait mode conversion for displaying screens in a landscape format and in a portrait format, respectively, and for converting from the portrait format to the landscape format and for converting from the landscape format to the portrait format, respectively, and may further include various sensors, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a switch for detecting the landscape mode conversion and portrait mode conversion.

As described herein, the terminal <NUM> may be oriented generally vertically or generally horizontally to be in portrait mode and landscape mode, respectively. In the description herein, examples are described of the terminal <NUM> changing from portrait mode to landscape mode, with display features adapted and changed accordingly, but it is to be understood that the terminal <NUM> may be in landscape mode and be changed to portrait mode, with display features adapted and changed accordingly, and that any change to either portrait or landscape mode is reversible.

The terminal <NUM> having the example construction or implementation described above supports operations and functionality such that various input modules <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> are output on the display unit <NUM> according to preset schedule information or a user request. In this case, at least one of the input modules <NUM> is configured in the form of a touch map, that is, a region of a screen of the display unit <NUM>, and may be output on a defined specific location of the screen of the display unit <NUM> according to a user setting. As described herein, outputting or displaying on the display unit <NUM> includes outputting information, data, and/or messages on at least one screen or window of the display unit <NUM>. In particular, when gripping the terminal <NUM> by a hand in a specific direction, the input module <NUM> may be output on an optimized location of the display unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the user may easily generate various input signals using an input module <NUM> output on a specific location of the display unit <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a location optimized at a hand in a specific direction of the input module <NUM> output on the display unit <NUM> may be determined by various experiments. In more detail, the present invention has determined, from such experiments, that an area capable of operating a corresponding input module <NUM>, in a state such that the input module <NUM> is output on the display unit <NUM>, may be regarded as a length of a thumb finger of each user. For example, when a specific user grips the terminal <NUM> by a right hand, the user may operate the terminal by touching a specific location of an input module <NUM> output on the display unit <NUM> using a thumb finger in a state such that the user grips a side and a rear side of the terminal <NUM> by four fingers except for the thumb finger. In this case, the length of the thumb finger determines a selection range which allows a user to freely select specific locations of an input module <NUM> output on the display unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the terminal <NUM> of the present invention may freely select various locations of an input module <NUM> in a state such that the user grips the terminal <NUM> by one hand by adjusting a location of the input module <NUM> according to the length of the thumb finger. For example, a length of a thumb finger of <NUM>% of American women is about <NUM>. Accordingly, upon considering flexibility of a joint connecting a thumb finger, a range which can be touched by one hand may include, for example, the range from <NUM>. Accordingly, when the terminal <NUM> has a display unit of <NUM>. or greater, the user cannot handle a total display unit by one hand, and accordingly it is necessary to arrange a suitable input module.

In the case of the present invention, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designed to arrange an input module <NUM> within a range which can be touched by one hand so that the user may freely and easily generate various input signals necessary to control the terminal <NUM> using the input module <NUM>. In more detail, upon operating the terminal <NUM> using one hand, the terminal <NUM> has an operation range of a thumb finger as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. That is, upon gripping the terminal <NUM> by a right hand, the user may have a touchable operation range represented by the quadrant of a circle, with squiggles representing touches and finger movements within the quadrant, as shown in <FIG>. Upon gripping the terminal <NUM> by a left hand, the user may have a touchable operation range represented by the quadrant of a circle, with squiggles representing touches and finger movements within the quadrant, as shown in <FIG>. The terminal <NUM> may output the input module <NUM> within the foregoing touchable operation range so that the user may easily generate an input signal without changing to gripping the terminal <NUM> by two hands or excessive change to a form for one hand.

Meanwhile, referring back to <FIG>, the communication unit <NUM> supports a communication function of the terminal <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> may be included when the terminal <NUM> is manufactured, or may be added after manufacture, in any known form or implementation for supporting the communication function. Accordingly, when the terminal <NUM> according to the present invention does not support the communication function, the communication unit <NUM> may be omitted from a configuration of the terminal <NUM>. In addition, the communication unit <NUM> may be provided in the form of a mobile communication module, known in the art, to support a communication function, and in particular, a mobile communication function of the terminal <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> forms a communication channel with a communication system or network, such as a mobile communication system, to support signal transception for executing a mobile communication function of the terminal <NUM>. For example, the communication unit <NUM> may form at least one of a voice service channel, an image service channel, and a data service channel with the mobile communication system, and support transception of a specific signal according to a corresponding service channel.

The communication unit <NUM> may be activated according to a user request. In this case, various key maps and control maps for controlling the communication unit <NUM> may be output on the display unit <NUM>. In particular, the communication unit <NUM> of the present invention may support various input modules according to control by the controller <NUM> for input of a phone number of another terminal in order to support the communication function. For example, the terminal <NUM> outputs an input module <NUM> configured by key maps for inputting numbers in the form biased to a hand of a specific direction, such as left or right for the corresponding hand, according to an operation of the communication unit <NUM>. Here, biased information may signify a form where at least a predetermined ratio of an input module <NUM> may be disposed within a touchable range according to the length of a thumb finger among hands of a corresponding direction. According to the operation of the communication unit <NUM>, the terminal <NUM> may output an item selectable list area, also referred to as a list region, configured by phone book information as the input module <NUM>. In this case, the input module configured by the list region may be resized to a size within a range determined by a thumb finger in a direction of a hand gripping the terminal <NUM> as described above and the resized input module <NUM> may be provided. If a phone book information call event for operating the communication unit <NUM> is generated in a state such that one-hand operation mode of the present invention is set, the terminal <NUM> resizes the size of a phone book list screen set to be output on entire regions of the display unit <NUM>, and may output the resized phone book list screen on a side of the display unit <NUM>. In this case, the resized ratio may be defined suited to a location and a size according to a preset hand operation mode.

The input unit <NUM> generates various input signals necessary to operate the terminal <NUM>. The input unit <NUM> may be configured to include various input devices and mechanisms known in the art, such as a keyboard, a keypad, and a key button according to compatibility of the terminal <NUM>. When the display unit <NUM> includes a touch screen, the input unit <NUM> may be configured in the form of a touch map output on the touch screen. In particular, the input unit <NUM> of the present invention may be configured in various forms according to supporting various input modules. For example, the input unit <NUM> may be configured by the form of an input module <NUM> including at least one of various key maps such as a <NUM>*<NUM> key map, a <NUM>*<NUM> key map, a QWERTY key map, and a Dvorak key map. The input unit <NUM> may be configured in the form of an input module <NUM> including at least one of various control key maps such as a control key map for playing music, a control key map for playing a moving image, and a control key map for controlling a broadcast receiving function. The various key maps may have a size in a form for supporting one hand operation in a specific direction, an arranged structure of respective keys, and the size and an arranged structure in a form for supporting an operation except for the one hand mode. The foregoing key maps may be output on the display unit <NUM> as a specific size and an arranged structure according to the presence of a setting of the one-hand operation mode. The foregoing key maps may have a size for one-hand operation mode and an arranged structure of respective keys for supporting a left hand grip, and a size of one-hand operation mode and an arranged structure of respective keys for supporting a right hand grip.

The audio processor <NUM> may output various audio data set in an operation procedure of the terminal <NUM>, audio data according to playback of an audio file stored in the memory <NUM>, and audio data received from sources external to the terminal <NUM>. The audio processor <NUM> may support an audio data collecting function. To this end, the audio processor <NUM> may include a speaker SPK and a microphone MIC. In particular, the audio processor <NUM> may output a sound effect or a guide sound according an operation of a corresponding input module <NUM> according to the present invention. For example, when a specific user function, to which a specific input module <NUM> is applied, is activated in a state such that the one-hand operation mode is set, the audio processor <NUM> may output a guide sound guiding a corresponding input module <NUM> depends on the one-hand operation mode, and a guide sound guiding the corresponding input module is an input module <NUM> corresponding to a hand in a specific direction. When an input signal for changing a direction is generated, that is, when an input signal for changing a mode from a left handed operation mode to a right handed operation mode, the audio processor <NUM> may output a sound effect according to generation of a corresponding input signal and a sound effect according to the change in the input module <NUM>. When a specific key included in the input module <NUM> is selected according to generation of an event for controlling each input module <NUM>, the audio processor <NUM> may output a sound effect according to key selection. Meanwhile, the output of the sound effect and the guide sound may be omitted according to a user setting or the intention of a designer or manufacturer of the terminal <NUM>.

The display unit <NUM> provides various screen interfaces necessary to operate the terminal <NUM>. For example, the display unit <NUM> supports an idle screen and a menu screen necessary to operate the terminal <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> of the present invention may include a touch panel <NUM> and a display panel <NUM>. The touch panel <NUM> may be the touch screen which may include or complement the input unit <NUM>, as described herein, may have a size of a full screen of the display panel <NUM> or larger, and may be operated in a form of a full touch screen based on the display panel <NUM>. The foregoing display unit <NUM> may provide a screen for setting a one-hand operation mode, a tutorial screen for training the user to use the one-hand operation mode, a screen output at an optimized location at a hand in a specific direction from various input modules <NUM> according to an operation of a signal, a screen in which a location of the input module <NUM> is changed according to input control, and a screen in which a location of the input module <NUM> is changed according to a change in the landscape mode or the portrait mode. The respective screens will be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings.

The memory <NUM> may store various basic operating systems necessary to operate the terminal <NUM>, data, settings, or an application, and an algorithm or method corresponding to various user functions. In particular, the memory <NUM> may include various input modules <NUM> supporting an operation of an input area output on the display unit <NUM> of the present invention, and an input support program <NUM> supporting output functions and an operation of the input module <NUM>.

Each of the at least one input modules <NUM> may be configured by various key maps which may be supported by the terminal <NUM>. For example, the input module <NUM> may include key maps for inputting numbers, key maps for inputting characters, and control key maps for controlling functions. The key map for inputting numbers may include a key maps such as a key map for inputting a phone number, a calculator key map for a mathematical or engineering calculation, and a key map for inputting dates for supporting various functions associated with the numbers, such as a calendar function. The key maps for inputting characters may include a key map for inputting English characters, a key map for inputting Korean characters, a key map for inputting characters corresponding to various national languages such as the Chinese and Japanese languages, and a key map for inputting special characters. The control key maps for controlling functions may include various control key maps such as a control key map for controlling playback of music, a control key map for controlling playback of a moving image, and a control key map for controlling a broadcast receiving function. The input module <NUM> may include a basic form in which the foregoing key maps are output on the display unit <NUM> to have a defined size and location, and at least one of a left hand mode support form and a right mode support form for supporting one-hand operation mode of the present invention. The input module <NUM> of the basic form may have an array form of keys symmetrical to each other based on the center of the display unit <NUM>, or an array form of at least one key which is arrayed at a central region of the display unit <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the input module <NUM> may include only key maps corresponding to the basic form, such as the screen <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Then, if an activation request of a specific user function is generated, the controller <NUM> may confirm classification setting information according to operation of a one hand mode, a left hand mode, or a right hand mode, resize at least one of a size, a location, and a form of an input module <NUM> of the basic form, or vary the arrangement of keys to generate and store at least one of a right hand input module and a left hand input module. When the right hand input mode and the left hand input mode is requested, the controller <NUM> may generate and output the right hand input module and the left hand input module, respectively, based on an input module <NUM> of a basic form when a corresponding request is generated.

The input support program 153may include various routines necessary to support the one-hand operation mode of the present invention. For example, the input support program <NUM> may include a routine of supporting a one-hand operation mode setting, a routine of calling or requesting display of an input module <NUM> corresponding to a user function when a specific user function to which the one-hand operation mode is set is activated, and a routine of outputting the called or requested input module <NUM> on the display unit <NUM> to be biased to be displayed in a defined predetermined direction, such as left or right. The input support program <NUM> may include a routine supporting operations such that an output direction of the input module <NUM> is changed, a routine of adjusting an arranged structure or the size of keys when an output direction of the input module <NUM> is changed, and a routine processing a specific input signal according to an event generated from a corresponding input module <NUM>. Further, the input support program <NUM> may include a routine for collecting one hand operation within a possible range of a user to adjust the size of the input module <NUM> and an array of keys.

The controller <NUM> controls the transfer and processing of signals and supply and distribution of power required to operate an input area or input module <NUM> output on the display unit <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, the controller <NUM> may adjust at least one of a form and a location of the input module <NUM> according to a user request or a preset schedule after output of the input area, and control a user function according to a signal input through the input module <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may include example constituent elements as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller <NUM> of the terminal <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in more detail.

Referring to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> of the present invention may include an event collector <NUM>, an input module operator <NUM>, and a function executor <NUM>.

The event collector <NUM> collects various events generated from the terminal <NUM>, such as touch events on the touch screen and/or touch panel <NUM>, and transfers a specific event among the collected events to the input module operator <NUM>. In more detail, when an event for calling, requesting, or activating a specific user function requiring output of the input area or input module <NUM> is generated on a display region, the event collector <NUM> may transfer preset information indicating the presence of a setting for the one-hand operation mode to the input module operator <NUM>. As described above, when receiving an input signal for activating a specific user function requiring the output of the input module <NUM>, the event collector <NUM> generates input module selection information corresponding to the received input signal. The event collector <NUM> confirms stored preset information in order to confirm a setting state of one-hand operation mode. To this end, the terminal <NUM> stores preset information indicating the presence of a setting for the one-hand operation mode with respect to a specific user function according to a user setting.

The input module operator <NUM> receives input module selection information and preset one-hand operation mode information, and supports output of a specific input module <NUM> based on corresponding information. To this end, the input module operator <NUM> may perform a procedure of confirming various input modules <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> based on the input module selection information. The input module operator <NUM> confirms the preset one-hand operation mode information. When the one-hand operation mode is set, the input module operator <NUM> may call or request an input module <NUM> for supporting the one-hand operation mode, and output the called or requested input module <NUM> on a previous defined location of the display unit <NUM>. The input module operator <NUM> may resize an input module <NUM> provided in an existing form according to a setting of the one-hand operation mode, and output the resized input module <NUM> on the display unit <NUM>.

The input module operator <NUM> may output a changed item supporting the change in a location of the input module <NUM>. If an input signal for selecting a corresponding change item is generated, the input module operator <NUM> may convert a form of the output or displayed input module <NUM> from a left mode to a right mode or from the right mode to the left mode.

In addition, the input module operator <NUM> may detect rotation of the terminal <NUM> using various sensors, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a switch, and may change at least one of a location and a form of the input module <NUM> output according to the rotation of the terminal <NUM>. For example, when a rotation state of the terminal is converted from a portrait mode to a landscape mode, the input module operator <NUM> may resize the input module <NUM> output in a hand mode in a specific direction suited to a region of the display unit <NUM> according to corresponding rotation change or adjust locations of respective keys. In this case, the input module <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> includes forms corresponding to the landscape mode and the portrait mode, respectively, and the input module operator <NUM> may control operations such that the input module <NUM> corresponding to a one-hand mode in a specific direction is output according to the conversion of the landscape mode and the portrait mode.

If a specific input signal is generated from an input module <NUM> output by the input module operator <NUM>, the function executor <NUM> controls operations such that a function according to the corresponding input signal is executed. For example, if a dialing input signal is generated together with input of a specific phone number after the input module <NUM> having a phone number input and dialing function is output on the display unit <NUM>, the function executor <NUM> may process and transfer a signal for call connection with another terminal corresponding to the phone number. In this case, the function executor <NUM> may output additional information associated with an operation of a corresponding input module <NUM> on a predetermined area of the display unit <NUM> to which the input module <NUM> is output. In particular, the function executor <NUM> outputs additional information on a blank area on which keys included in the input module <NUM> are not displayed.

If a user function for creating a message through input of characters or numbers and a corresponding input module <NUM> is output, the function executor <NUM> outputs signals input by the input module <NUM> on an output area of the display unit <NUM>. The function executor <NUM> may control operations such that a corresponding message is transmitted to another terminal according to an additional input signal. If a specific input signal is generated according to a corresponding control key map in a state such that the input module <NUM> corresponding to the control key map is output on a side of a screen of the display unit <NUM>, the function executor <NUM> may control a user function according to the corresponding input signal. For example, a control key map for selecting a channel may be output on an area of the display unit <NUM> as the input module <NUM> according to execution of a broadcast receiving function. If a specific input signal is generated from the input module <NUM> in this state, the function executor <NUM> may execute user functions including changing a broadcasting channel, terminating a broadcast receiving function, or recording broadcasting according to a corresponding input signal.

As described above, the terminal <NUM> of the present invention may provide a form of the input module <NUM> on the display unit <NUM> in a biased form in a predetermined direction in order to support an operation of one hand of the user in a procedure of outputting or displaying various input modules <NUM> according to the user function. Accordingly, the user may control various inputs using one hand without performing a separate operation during a procedure of operating the input module <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> provides a change item capable of directly calling or requesting an input module <NUM> according to a corresponding environment in response to a grip change of a left hand, a right hand, or both hands during a procedure of operating the terminal <NUM> to easily operate the terminal <NUM> without trouble or difficulty such as for menu selection for selecting the input module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an input area or input module <NUM> output on a display region according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a controller <NUM> of the terminal <NUM> may supply power to support a specific function of the terminal <NUM>, for example, at least one function or state such as an idle screen function, a sleep state support function, and a specific terminal function operation state in step <NUM>. To this end, the controller <NUM> may control operations such that power from a battery or an adapter is conveyed to a specific element of the terminal <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the controller <NUM> may determine whether an input signal for activating a user function requiring provision of an input module <NUM> is generated according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in step <NUM>. When the input signal for activating a user function requiring provision of an input module <NUM> is not generated in step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control and process signals for executing a corresponding user function in step <NUM>. For example, when an input signal for executing a function without requiring a specific key map such as a menu screen search function is generated, the controller <NUM> may control execution of a function according to a corresponding input signal.

However, in step <NUM>, when the input signal for activating a user function requiring provision of an input module <NUM> is generated, the controller <NUM> may determine whether preset information for setting one-hand operation mode is generated in step <NUM>. When the one-hand operation mode is not set in step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may output an input module corresponding to a basic form on the display unit <NUM> in step <NUM> and proceed to step <NUM>. The basic form may have a predetermined size and area, and have a structure and format which is positioned at the center of the screen on the display unit <NUM>, such as screen <NUM> in <FIG>. The basic form may be configured by a key map in a previously defined form in order to support a specific user function regardless of the presence of one hand operation by a left hand or a right hand.

Referring back to step <NUM>, when the one-hand operation mode is set at step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may output an input module <NUM> corresponding to a hand in a specific direction on the display unit <NUM> in step <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may output an input module <NUM> where a key map is biased to a right side of the screen of the display unit <NUM>, so that one-hand operation by the right hand is possible. The controller <NUM> may also control operations such that an input module <NUM> supporting a left handed operation is output. The input module <NUM> supporting a right handed operation or a left handed operation may be an input module <NUM> for supporting a hand in a direction which is defined according to preset default information, which is directed as set by the user, or which is finally selected and operated due to an operation of a corresponding user function. The controller <NUM> may change a form of an output or displayed input module <NUM> according to a current display format or form of arrangement of displayed elements on a screen of the display unit <NUM> of the terminal <NUM>, that is, the arrangement of a landscape mode or a portrait mode. To this end, the terminal <NUM> may store an input module <NUM> differently created according to an arranged state of the landscape mode or the portrait mode, or may adjust or output an input module <NUM> of a basic form suited to the landscape mode or the portrait mode. The terminal <NUM> may have previously stored information regarding a location of the input module <NUM> and arranged states of the keys for operating one-hand mode according to an arranged state of the landscape mode or the portrait mode in order to adjust the input module <NUM> of a basic form, and may output an input module <NUM> of a specific arranged state for one-hand operation based on the stored information.

After step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a direction change signal for changing a direction of a left hand or a right hand is generated in step <NUM>. To this end, the user may generate an input signal selecting a direction change menu item allocated to change the direction of the screen of the display unit <NUM> for the left hand or the right hand. If a direction change is detected in step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> generates the input signal for changing the direction so that at least one of a direction and a form of the input module <NUM> is changed in step <NUM>, and the method proceeds to step <NUM>. For example, when the input signal for changing the direction is generated in a state that an input module <NUM> for supporting a left handed operation is output, the controller <NUM> may control operations such that an input module <NUM> for supporting a right handed operation is output. In this case, the controller <NUM> may select and output an input module <NUM> for supporting a previously defined right handed operation from the memory <NUM>, adjust the size of a basic form, and arranged locations of respective keys to generate an input module <NUM> for supporting a right handed operation, and output the generated input module <NUM> on the display unit <NUM>.

However, in step <NUM>, if the input signal for changing the direction is not generated, that is, when an output of a current input module maintains the direction or orientation at step <NUM>, the process proceeds to step <NUM>. The controller <NUM> determines whether a signal for rotating the terminal is generated in step <NUM>. That is, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a sensor signal according to conversion from the landscape mode to the portrait mode or from the portrait mode to the landscape mode is generated. When the signal for rotating the terminal <NUM> is generated as detected in step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may change the input module <NUM> according to the rotation of the terminal in step <NUM>. That is, if a rotation sensing signal for changing arrangement in a state such that a current input mode is output in the portrait mode, the controller <NUM> may convert an environment of a display unit <NUM> of the terminal <NUM> from the portrait mode to the landscape mode, and output an input module <NUM> of a user function corresponding to the landscape mode. During this procedure, the controller <NUM> may select and output an input module <NUM> associated with a corresponding user function previously stored in the memory <NUM>, resize a basic form suited to the one-hand operation of the landscape mode or adjust a key arrangement of a key map, or output the resized basic form or the adjusted key arrangement of the key map. However, in step <NUM>, when the direction change signal for changing a direction is not generated at step <NUM> or the signal for rotating the terminal <NUM> is not generated, the controller <NUM> may control operations such that step <NUM> is skipped, and the method proceeds to step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines whether an input signal for terminating a function is generated. When the input signal for terminating a function is not generated, the controller <NUM> returns to step <NUM> and repeats the foregoing procedures. Otherwise, the method of <FIG> ends.

As describe above, the method of operating an input module <NUM> displayed on a display area of the present invention outputs an input module <NUM> which can be operated by one hand, such as either a left hand or a right hand on the display unit <NUM> according to the presence of a setting for the one-hand operation mode when a user function requiring an input module <NUM> is activated. In this case, the method may output an input module <NUM> applied to the landscape mode or the portrait mode according to an arranged state of the terminal <NUM>. The method may change a location of an input module <NUM> and an arranged state of at least one of keys according to a direction change request from a left hand to a right hand or from the right hand to the left hand. The method may change at least one of the location and the form of the input module <NUM> according to an arrangement change from the landscape mode to the portrait mode of from the portrait mode to the landscape mode.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen interface for setting one-hand operation mode according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, if an input signal for calling or requesting a "setting" screen associated with function for setting of the terminal <NUM> is generated from the input unit <NUM> or the display unit <NUM> by a touch function, the controller <NUM> may output the "setting" screen <NUM> on a display unit <NUM>. In particular, the display unit <NUM> may output a screen interface including an item or icon <NUM> for setting one-hand operation mode of the present invention.

If a user generates an input signal by selecting an item <NUM> for one-hand operation mode setting on the screen <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may output a screen interface <NUM> associated with the one-hand operation mode setting on the display unit <NUM>. In this case, a preset one-hand operation mode screen interface <NUM> may include items such as icons and other known display elements associated with a specific input module <NUM>. For example, such displayed items may be a dialer, a keypad, or a calculator. When a specific input module <NUM> is set to be operated in the one-hand operation mode according to the one-hand operation mode setting, specific user functions using respective input modules <NUM> may be collectively set in the one-hand operation mode. Meanwhile, the various displayed items on the screen interface <NUM> may be items associated with a user function. That is, the various items may include or may be associated with specific user functions such as a message creation function, a chatting function, an e-mail creation function, a telephone or communications call function, a calculator function, and a household account book function supported by the terminal <NUM>. The user may select a specific input module <NUM> or a check box, such as the displayed check boxes in the screen interface <NUM>, so that the one-hand operation mode setting with respect to a user function item may be performed.

In addition, the one-hand operation mode setting screen interface may provide a "tutorial" item <NUM> for performing the one-hand operation mode of selecting a tutorial to be performed, as shown in the screen interface <NUM>. When the user selects the tutorial item <NUM>, the display unit <NUM> may output information supporting a location change of the input module in the one-hand operation mode as illustrated in screens <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>, with the greyed circles representing selected regions for activating a corresponding function, such as displaying a SAMSUNG keypad oriented with keys having a predetermined arrangement, such as keys for products displaying such a keypad commercially available from SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an one-hand operation mode of a <NUM>*<NUM> keypad according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, when the one-hand operation mode is not set, the terminal <NUM> outputs a screen including a <NUM>*<NUM> key map region corresponding to an input module of a basic form on the display unit <NUM> as illustrated in the screen <NUM>. For example, a screen interface output on the screen <NUM> may be a message creation screen, an e-mail creation screen, and a chatting screen. The input module <NUM> of a basic form may be output in a predetermined area of the display unit <NUM> with a previously defined size and form. For example, the input module <NUM> of a basic form may have a symmetrical structure based on a vertical center line of the display unit <NUM>. That is, the input module <NUM> having the basic form is centered on the screen of the display unit <NUM>. In addition, a screen interface of the screen <NUM> may be provided with an output area <NUM> on which a character may be input corresponding to an input signal input according to control of a corresponding input module except for an area of the input module <NUM> of the basic form. The screen interface <NUM> may include additional areas, for example, a function item area <NUM> on which specific function items associated with a corresponding user function are output as well as the output area <NUM>. The function item area <NUM> may include a function item <NUM> supporting conversion to a pen function, a function item <NUM> for transmitting a created message, and an item <NUM> providing information regarding a total amount of a creatable message and an amount of a currently created message. The screen <NUM> may include an information input area <NUM> for inputting information of another terminal which will receive the message and a phone book call area <NUM> supporting a phone book or contacts for selecting the other terminal. The user may create and transmit the message generated in the output area <NUM> based on the screen interface <NUM>.

Meanwhile, when the user has set the one-hand operation mode, the terminal <NUM> outputs an input module <NUM> for supporting the one-hand operation mode in a specific direction on the display unit <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM>. For example, the terminal <NUM> may output a right hand input module <NUM> for supporting a right hand based one-hand operation mode. The right hand input module <NUM> includes a right hand key map area <NUM>, a first change item area <NUM>, and a first blank area <NUM>. The right hand input module <NUM> provided on the screen <NUM> may be configured by a virtual key map provided in a state such that the terminal <NUM> is arranged in the portrait mode.

The right hand key map area <NUM> may have the same arrangement of keys as that of the input module <NUM> of a basic form shown in the screen <NUM>, while the respective keys of the screen <NUM> may be biased toward a right periphery of the screen <NUM>. Accordingly, the right hand key map area <NUM> may be biased to a right side while maintaining a rectangular shape. The sizes of a location and an area to which the right hand key map area <NUM> is output, and an arranged location of keys may be adjusted within a one-hand operable distance of the user. To this end, the terminal <NUM> may provide the right hand key map area <NUM> based on a length of a thumb finger of the user provided as a default, and provide the right hand key map area <NUM> based on the length of the thumb finger input by the user. The display of the right hand key map area <NUM> based on the length of the thumb finger of the user will be described with reference to following drawings.

As shown in the screen <NUM> in <FIG>, the first change item area <NUM> may be arranged at a left peripheral region of the right hand key map area <NUM>. Accordingly, when the user grips the terminal <NUM> by a left hand, the first change item area <NUM> may be easily selected, with the greyed circle representing selecting and activating the first change item area <NUM>. In the case of selecting the first change item area <NUM>, the terminal <NUM> provides a screen to which the left hand input module <NUM> including the left hand key map area <NUM> is outputted as illustrated in a screen <NUM>.

Referring to screen <NUM>, the first blank area <NUM> is provided at a right and bottom periphery of the right hand key map area <NUM> so that the user may easily select respective keys included in the right hand key map area <NUM> by the right hand. When the user tries to grip the terminal <NUM> by the right hand, the user selects keys of the right hand key map area <NUM> using a thumb finger. In this case, an area neighboring a right periphery according to a bent angle of the thumb finger may be an area difficult to select by the thumb finger. Since the thumb finger is spaced apart from a bottom end of the terminal <NUM> by a predetermined distance in a state such that a palm grips a bottom of the terminal <NUM>, that is, a bottom portion relative to the vertical direction of the screens <NUM>-<NUM> on the display unit <NUM>, the thumb finger may not select such a bottom part of the terminal <NUM>. Accordingly, the first blank area <NUM> is arranged at an area corresponding to an area which the thumb finger may not select so that the right hand key map area <NUM> of the terminal <NUM> may be easily selected by the thumb finger. The first blank area <NUM> may be initially provided in a default location, and may be adjusted in size and shape according to a specific length of the thumb finger. The terminal <NUM> according to the present invention may initially provide the first blank area <NUM> suited to an average length of the thumb finger, and may adjust the size and location of the first blank area <NUM> according to measurement and input of the length of the thumb finger of the user. Meanwhile, the screen interface <NUM> may be supported so that an output area <NUM>, a function item area <NUM>, an information input area <NUM>, and a phone book call area <NUM> maintain their orientations, sizes, and/or appearances from a previous screen state.

As described above, when the user selects the first change item area <NUM> in a state in which the screen <NUM> is displayed, the terminal <NUM> outputs a screen interface as illustrated in the screen <NUM>. The screen interface <NUM> may have substantially the same screen structure as that of the screen interface <NUM>, but instead the input module area is output as a left hand input module <NUM> of a form specified at the left hand. As shown in the screen interface <NUM> of <FIG>, the left input module <NUM> includes a left hand key map area <NUM>, a second change item area <NUM>, and a second blank area <NUM>.

The left hand key map <NUM> has a size similar to that of the right hand key map area <NUM> of the screen <NUM>, but a display location of a key map in the left hand key map area <NUM> may be different from that in the right hand key map area <NUM>. Further, arranged locations and directions of keys displayed on the left hand key map area <NUM> may be different from those on the right hand key map area <NUM> as shown. The left key map area <NUM> may have the same arranged location of keys as those displayed on the right hand key map area <NUM>. The second change item area <NUM> is an area for activating conversion back to the screen <NUM> to which the right hand input module <NUM> is output. The second blank area <NUM> may be an area corresponding to an area which the left thumb cannot select so the left hand key map area <NUM> may be easily selected by a left hand of the user.

If the user selects keys of the left hand key map area <NUM> to input characters in a state shown in the screen interface <NUM>, the terminal <NUM> may output characters of keys according to selection on an output area <NUM>. In this case, the function item area <NUM> may maintain the configuration of similar or identical icons or display elements on the screen interface <NUM> as in screens <NUM> and <NUM>. Meanwhile, when character input occurs, an information input area <NUM> and a phone book call area <NUM>, to which information regarding another terminal is input, may be removed from being displayed on the screens <NUM>-<NUM> of the display unit <NUM>, as shown in screen <NUM>, for example, by a predetermined input command. When an input signal for completing message creation is generated or the character input is not generated for a preset time, the information input area <NUM> and the phone book call area <NUM> may be again output as in the screen interface <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may automatically control resizing of the output area <NUM> and the function item area <NUM> for removal and for output on screens of the information input area <NUM> and the phone book call area <NUM>.

Meanwhile, referring to screen <NUM>, when character input by the left hand key map area <NUM> occurs, the controller <NUM> may change the second change item area <NUM> to an additional information output area <NUM>, as shown in the screen <NUM>. The additional information output area <NUM> may display previously stored specific information associated with the character input. For example, a word output according to a word recommendation associated with characters input by the user, such as by auto-correct functions known in the art, may be performed on the additional information output area <NUM>, as shown in the screen <NUM>.

Referring back to the screen <NUM>, when an arranged state of the terminal <NUM> is in the state of the screen <NUM>, for example, and when rotation where the terminal <NUM> is converted from the portrait mode to the landscape mode is achieved, the terminal <NUM> may output a screen interface for supporting the landscape mode on the display unit <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM>. A right input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode is output to the screen interface in screen <NUM> for supporting the landscape mode, and an output area <NUM> based on the landscape mode, a function item area <NUM>, an information input area <NUM>, and a phone book call area <NUM> may be provided on the screen interface of screen <NUM>. The right hand input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode may include a right hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode, a first blank area <NUM> based on the landscape mode, and a first change item area <NUM> based on the landscape mode. The right hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may have an arrangement of the same keys as those of the right hand key map area <NUM> of screen <NUM>, but which have been adjusted size and location. The right hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may be biased to a right periphery so that that the user may select keys by a right hand in a state of gripping the terminal <NUM>. The first change item area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may have an area larger than the corresponding change item areas <NUM>, <NUM> of the portrait mode. The first blank area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may be formed at a right periphery and a bottom periphery of the right hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode, with each of the right periphery and the bottom periphery having a predetermined width.

Meanwhile, when the first change item area <NUM> based on the landscape mode is selected, a left input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode may be output on the display unit <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM>. A left hand key map area <NUM> may be biased to a left side of the left input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode. In this case, the left hand key map area <NUM> has a form similar to that of the right hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode in screen <NUM>. A second change item area <NUM> based on a landscape mode may be output to a right side of the left hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode. A second blank area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may be formed at a left periphery and a bottom periphery of the left hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode, with each of the left periphery and the bottom periphery having a predetermined width. When the second change item area <NUM> based on the second landscape mode is selected, the terminal <NUM> may return to the screen <NUM>.

Referring back to screen <NUM>, when the user selects at least one of the keys of the right hand key map area <NUM> on the screen <NUM> based on the landscape mode to perform character input in a state of the screen interface <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may output a corresponding character to the output area <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM> in <FIG>. The first change item area <NUM> based on the landscape mode in the right hand input module based on the landscape mode may be converted into an additional information output area <NUM> based on the landscape mode in the screen <NUM>. The additional information output area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may be an area in which recommended words associated with an input character are displayed, providing an auto-correct function known in the art, and a plurality of additional information output areas may be output. The additional information output area function is equally applicable to the left hand input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode shown in screen <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a screen interface regarding a dialer operation during the one-hand operation mode according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, if an input signal for activating a user function for displaying a dialer for calling another terminal is generated in a set state of the one-hand operation mode, the terminal <NUM> of the present invention may output a right hand input module <NUM> which is an input module biased to a right side of a key map area associated with a dialer, which is biased based on a central line of a screen <NUM> displayed on the display unit <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may output a left hand input module <NUM> in which an input module is biased to a left side based on the central line of a screen <NUM> displayed on the display unit <NUM> according to an user setting or an intention of a designer or manufacturer of the terminal <NUM>. When the one-hand operation mode is not set, the terminal <NUM> may have a structure in which a dialer including a plurality of keys is symmetrical based on the center of the currently displayed screen of the display unit <NUM>, and may output a corresponding screen.

A dialer support user function provided from the screen interface <NUM> may be a call function. As shown in the screen <NUM>, the call function support screen may include a right hand input module <NUM>, an output area <NUM>, and a menu area <NUM>. The output area <NUM> may be an area to which numbers selected from the right hand key map area <NUM> included in the right hand input module <NUM> are output. The menu area <NUM> may be an area to which items associated with the call function are output. The right hand input module <NUM> may include the right hand map area <NUM> biased to a right side based on a vertical center line of the display unit <NUM>, a first change item area <NUM> arranged at a left side of the right hand key map area <NUM>, and a first blank area <NUM> arranged at a right periphery and a bottom periphery of the right key map area <NUM>.

When the user generates an input signal selecting a first change item area <NUM>, the terminal <NUM> may provide a screen interface including a left hand input module as illustrated in the screen <NUM>. The left input module <NUM> may include a left hand key map area <NUM> biased to a left side, a second change item area <NUM> arranged at a right side of the left key map area <NUM>, and a second blank area <NUM> formed at a right periphery and a bottom periphery of the left key map area <NUM>, with each of the right periphery and the bottom periphery having a predetermined width.

Meanwhile, when the user rotates the terminal <NUM> in the landscape mode in a state such that the screen <NUM> is displayed, the terminal <NUM> may display a screen to which a left hand input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode is output as illustrated in a screen <NUM> of <FIG>. The left hand input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode, an output area <NUM> based on the landscape mode, and a menu area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may be provided on the screen interface <NUM>.

The left hand input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode may include the left hand key map area <NUM>, a blank area <NUM> based on the landscape mode, and a change item area <NUM> based on the landscape mode. The blank area <NUM> is formed at a left periphery and a bottom periphery of the left hand input module <NUM>, with each of the left periphery and the bottom periphery having a predetermined width.

When the user input numbers to the screen <NUM> using specific keys of the left hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode, the change item area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may be converted into an additional information output area <NUM> based on the landscape mode. The additional information output area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may be an information area recommending a specific phone number associated with a corresponding number upon input of the beginning portions of the number. The specific phone number may be information previously stored in a phone book or information included in a call history. The additional information output area <NUM> based on the landscape mode may provide at least one related phone number.

Referring back to screen <NUM>, when the user selects a specific key of the right hand key map area <NUM>, for example, by selecting the first change item area <NUM> represented by the greyed circle, to input numbers in a state of the screen <NUM>, the right hand input module <NUM> including the additional information output area <NUM> may be output as illustrated in a screen <NUM>. The information output on the additional information output region <NUM> may be a specific phone number stored in the phone book or a specific phone number having a call history as illustrated in the screen <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating supporting functions of a calculator during the one-hand operation mode according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, when the user generates an input signal for activating a calculator function, the terminal <NUM> may output a right hand input module <NUM> having a key map area associated with a calculator on a side of a screen as illustrated in a screen <NUM> according to a setting of the one-hand operation mode. The screen interface of the screen <NUM> on the display unit <NUM> may include a calculator related output area <NUM> and the right hand input module <NUM>. The right hand input module <NUM> may include a right hand key map area <NUM> having calculator related keys, a first blank area <NUM> formed at a right periphery and a bottom periphery of the right key map area <NUM>, with each of the right periphery and the bottom periphery having a predetermined width, and a first change item area <NUM> arranged at a left side of the right hand key map area <NUM>.

Meanwhile, when the user generates an input signal selecting the first change item area <NUM>, for example, by inputting the selection represented by the greyed circle in the screen <NUM>, the terminal <NUM> may control operations such that the screen <NUM> is changed to a screen <NUM> shown in <FIG> for substituting the right hand input module <NUM> with the left hand input module <NUM>. The left hand input module <NUM> may include a left hand key map area <NUM> biased to a left side based on a central line the screen <NUM> of the display unit <NUM>, a second blank area <NUM> formed at a left periphery and a bottom periphery of the left hand key map area <NUM> to have a predetermined width, and a second change item area <NUM>. When the second change item area <NUM> is activated, the terminal <NUM> may return the screen <NUM> to the screen <NUM>.

Meanwhile, when the terminal <NUM> is rotated from being in a portrait mode oriented in a vertical direction of a screen <NUM> to being in a landscape mode oriented in a horizontal direction, the terminal <NUM> may provide a screen interface including a left hand input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode and an output area <NUM> based on the landscape mode as illustrated in a screen <NUM> in <FIG>. The left hand input module <NUM> based on the landscape mode may include a left hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode biased to a left side of the screen <NUM> in a state of the display unit <NUM> which is arranged in the landscape mode, a blank area <NUM> based on the landscape mode formed at a left periphery and a bottom periphery of the left hand key map area <NUM>, and a change item area <NUM> arranged at a right side of the left hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode, with each of the left periphery and the bottom periphery having a predetermined width. When the user inputs a specific number using the left hand key map area <NUM> based on the landscape mode in this state, the change item area <NUM> may change the additional information output area <NUM> based on the landscape mode as shown in screen <NUM>. The additional information output area <NUM> outputs a calculator related additional information, and previously calculated or input data having at least one result or value may be outputted in the additional information output area <NUM>.

Referring back to screen <NUM>,the user inputs numbers using a left hand map area <NUM> without rotating the terminal <NUM>, and the terminal <NUM> may output the input numerals to the output area <NUM> in a state of maintaining the portrait mode as illustrated in a screen <NUM> of <FIG>. Meanwhile, the left hand input module <NUM> includes the left hand key map area <NUM> and the second blank area <NUM>, and the second change item area <NUM> in screen <NUM> may be converted into an additional information output area <NUM> in screen <NUM>. The additional information output area <NUM> may output a previously input value or a result value according to a previously performed calculation. With the screen <NUM> being displayed and the terminal <NUM> oriented vertically, rotating the terminal <NUM> to be in landscape mode causes the screen <NUM> to be changed to the screen <NUM>, as described herein.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a screen interface associated with an operation of a QWERTY key map implementing a QWERTY keyboard or keypad during the one-hand operation mode according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the user may generate an input signal for executing a specific user function, and the terminal <NUM> may call or request an input module associated with a QWERTY key map as illustrated in a screen <NUM> in order to execute a corresponding user function. In this case, when the one-hand operation mode is set, the terminal <NUM> may provide a screen interface including a left hand input module <NUM> as shown having a default format or according to a user setting. As shown, a screen interface <NUM> may include a left hand input module <NUM>, a message output area <NUM>, an information input area <NUM>, a function item area <NUM>, and a phone book call area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the left hand input module <NUM> may include a left hand key map area <NUM> biased to a left side based on a central line of the screen <NUM> on the display unit <NUM>, a first blank area <NUM>, and a first change item area <NUM>.

The left hand key map area <NUM> includes a plurality of keys constituting a QWERTY key map, and is biased to the left side. The size of respective keys on the left key map area <NUM> are relatively smaller than an input module <NUM> of a basic form symmetrically arranged based on the central line of screens on the display unit <NUM>, and the format or arrangement of the respective keys may be changed as necessary. In particular, the left hand key map area <NUM> may be an area in which respective keys are arranged within a touchable range using a left thumb finger in a state such that the user grips the terminal <NUM> by a left hand. To this end, the terminal <NUM> outputs a left hand key map area <NUM> within a range created based on a length of a thumb finger initially defined by a designer or the manufacturer of the terminal <NUM>. In addition, the terminal <NUM> may adjust a range of a left hand key map area <NUM> based on a newly defined length representing an average or typical length of the thumb finger.

The first blank area <NUM> is configured to have a predetermined width and height at a periphery of the terminal <NUM>, with the values of the predetermined width and height acquired from statistics, in which the first blank area <NUM> is not typically reached due to bending of the thumb finger when the user operates a QWERTY key map included in the left hand key map area <NUM>. The first blank area <NUM> may be an area which is impossible to touch by bending the thumb finger or is difficult to touch in a state such that the user grips the terminal <NUM> by a left hand. As described above, a predetermined width and length of the blank area <NUM> may be determined by obtained statistics.

The first change item area <NUM> is an area to which an item capable of changing an arranged form of an input module is output so that one-hand operation of a user gripping the terminal <NUM> by a right hand is supported upon selection thereof. When the user selects the first change item area <NUM>, the terminal <NUM> may output a right hand input module <NUM> shown in the screen <NUM> of <FIG> and biased to the right compared to the left hand input module <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM>.

As described above, when a first change item area <NUM> is selected on the screen <NUM> or a right hand is set by default to the one-hand operation mode according to an initial user setting or a designer or manufacturer setting, a screen <NUM> may be provided and displayed on a screen of the display unit <NUM>. The screen <NUM> may provide a screen interface structure substantially similar to the screen <NUM>, and a right hand input module <NUM> may be output to an area corresponding to the left hand input module <NUM> but shifted to the right.

The right hand input module <NUM> may include a right hand key map area <NUM> biased to a right side based on a central line of the screen <NUM> on the display unit <NUM>, a second blank area <NUM>, and a second change item <NUM>. The right hand key map area <NUM> is configured by keys constituting a QWERTY key map, has the same key format and arrangement as that of the left key map area <NUM>, and is biased to a right side. The second blank area <NUM> may be configured at a right periphery and a bottom periphery of the right hand key map area <NUM>, with each of the right periphery and the bottom periphery having a predetermined width. If the second change item <NUM> is selected, the terminal <NUM> may return from displaying the screen <NUM> to displaying the screen <NUM>.

In the meantime, an input module including the QWERTY key map supports conversion to the landscape mode or to a portrait mode according to rotation of the terminal <NUM>. In this case, in another exemplary embodiment described above, QWERTY key maps may be transformed and provided to be displayed suited to a landscape mode screen structure or to a portrait mode screen structure. The terminal <NUM> may include a left hand input module and a right hand input module having QWERTY key map areas biased to a left side or a right side in the landscape mode, as shown in <FIG>.

In the foregoing description, the output area <NUM>, the function item area <NUM>, the information input area <NUM>, and the phone book call area <NUM> may be areas similar to the respective areas described in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a screen interface associated with an operation of a control key map during the one-hand operation mode according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the user may request to activate a specific user function to which an operation of a control key map is requested. For example, the user may generate an input signal to request activation of a broadcast receiving function. Then, the terminal <NUM> may receive a broadcast signal according to activation of the broadcast receiving function, decode the received broadcast signal, and output the decoded broadcast signal on the display unit <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM> of <FIG>. In this case, a screen according to decoding the broadcast signal may be provided and displayed as a full screen as shown according to a user setting or the presence of support from the terminal <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may provide the broadcast signal screen <NUM> based on the landscape mode or the portrait mode, or the landscape mode according to rotation of the terminal <NUM> by the user from an initial portrait mode. <FIG> illustrates a form and example of providing a screen based on the landscape mode, displaying content of a default or selected channel, such as a sailboat.

Meanwhile, when the user generates an input signal for calling, requesting, or activating a control key map on a right area of the screen, that is, when the user touches an area labeled "A", the terminal <NUM> may output a right hand control key map area <NUM> biased to a right side of the display unit <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM>. The right hand control key map area <NUM> is an area to which at least one control key is provided in a predetermined form, such as a numerical keypad or a channel listing menu, and may be output at a location spaced apart from a right periphery and a bottom periphery of the terminal <NUM> by a predetermined width. In particular, the right hand control key map area <NUM> may be an area located within a range by which the user may touch respective control keys of the right hand control key map area <NUM> by moving a right thumb finger in a state that the user grips the terminal <NUM> by a right hand. Meanwhile, if an input signal selecting a specific control key, for example, a specific channel is generated on the right hand control key map area <NUM>, the terminal <NUM> may decode a broadcast signal corresponding to a selected channel, and output a screen according to a decoding signal on the display unit <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM>, displaying content such as a parachutist from the selected channel "<NUM>" entered on the right hand control key map area <NUM> of the screen <NUM>.

Referring back to the screen <NUM>, the user may instead touch an area labeled "B" on the screen <NUM>, and the terminal <NUM> may output a left hand control key map area <NUM> biased to a left side of the display unit <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM>. The left hand control key map area <NUM> is an area to which at least one control key is provided and displayed in a predetermined form, and may be output at a location spaced apart from a left periphery and a bottom periphery of the terminal <NUM> by a predetermined width. In particular, the left hand control key map area <NUM> may be an area within a range by which a user may touch respective control keys by moving a thumb finger in a state such that the user grips the terminal <NUM> by a left hand. Meanwhile, if an input signal selecting a specific control key, for example, a specific channel from the left hand control key map area <NUM>, is generated, the terminal <NUM> may decode a broadcast signal corresponding to a selected channel, such as channel "<NUM>", and output a screen corresponding to the broadcast signal on the display unit <NUM> as illustrated in a screen <NUM>, such as the content showing a parachutist.

Meanwhile, when either of screens <NUM> and <NUM> are displayed, and when the user touches the area B and the area A on a screen <NUM> and a screen <NUM>,respectively,the terminal <NUM> may change the screen <NUM> and the screen <NUM> to the screen <NUM> or the screen <NUM>, respectively, and display the respective control areas <NUM>, <NUM>. Accordingly, the terminal <NUM> may output a control key map according to a grip hand of the user while displaying a control or input area, such as keypads or blank areas for selection or data input, in an operable form by one hand. The area A and the area B of screens <NUM>-<NUM> may be defined as having a previously set width and distance from a right periphery and a left periphery, respectively.

Meanwhile, the foregoing exemplary embodiment has illustrated that an additional information output area is output instead of a change item area, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the additional information output area receives allocation of a specific area among input module areas and is displayed. For example, the present invention may be configured such that a change item area is resized, and a predetermined space to which additional information is output is allocated to simultaneously output the additional information output area and the change item area on the display unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a procedure of setting a range for supporting the one-hand operation mode according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the terminal <NUM> may support a setting function capable of inputting a touchable range of a thumb finger by users in order to support one-hand operation mode. To this end, the terminal <NUM> may provide a one-hand operation mode setting item displayed on a screen of the display <NUM>. When the user selects the one-hand operation mode setting item, the terminal <NUM> may provide an operation range setting item and an operation function setting item as illustrated in a screen <NUM>. When the operation function setting item is selected, screens as illustrated in <FIG> may be provided.

If the operation range setting item is selected from the screen <NUM>, represented by the greyed circle next to the text "OPERATION RANGE SETTING" in the screen <NUM>, the terminal <NUM> may provide a screen for defining a touchable range of a thumb finger according to a one-hand grip of the user as illustrated in a screen <NUM>, for example for a right hand. A similar screen which is mirror symmetrical with the screen <NUM>, may be displayed on the display unit <NUM> for defining a touching range for a left hand. It is preferable that the user touch at two points of a side of the screen <NUM> of the display unit <NUM> using a thumb finger in a specific direction. For example, the user may touch a right thumb finger at a lowermost area <NUM> of screen <NUM> on the display unit <NUM> and may touch an uppermost area <NUM> of the display unit <NUM>. In addition, the user may touch a largest possible area <NUM> in a diagonal direction using a right thumb finger in a right periphery, with the touched areas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> represented by the greyed circles in the screen <NUM>.

The terminal <NUM> allows a user to calculate or determine a touchable range by a thumb finger using the foregoing bottom end area <NUM>, top end area <NUM>, and largest possible area <NUM>, and may define the size and an output location of a right hand key map area, as shown in the screen <NUM> according to a touchable range by a right thumb finger, with the square grid representing an array of actuatable screen regions defining the right hand key map area. Similarly, the terminal <NUM> may define the size and an output location of a left hand key map area according to a left thumb finger in the same manner or may define the size and the output location of a left hand key map area by symmetrizing a right hand key map area. The size and the location of the key map area are applicable to respective key maps to support various user functions according to a defined length of a thumb finger.

As described above, the terminal <NUM> and the method supporting one-hand operation mode output a key map area having a size and a location operable by one hand so that the user may operate the terminal <NUM> by one hand, and may simply change a location of the key map area according to the change in the hand and the appropriate touch on the screen to change the location of the key map area. The present invention may operate the terminal <NUM> by one hand in an operation and an environment of various user functions by defining the size and the location of a key map for one-hand operation in a landscape mode and in a portrait mode. The present invention may have the size and the location of a key map optimized in a thumb finger by users.

Meanwhile, the foregoing exemplary embodiment has illustrated that an area of a virtual key map is output to one of a right hand area and a left hand area for one hand operation of the terminal <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the terminal <NUM> of the present invention may simultaneously output a right hand key map area which can be touched by a right thumb finger and a left hand key map area which can be touched by a left thumb finger on the display unit <NUM>. In this case, as described above, the output right hand key map area and left hand key map area may be areas in which all keys are arranged within a touchable range determined according to a length of the thumb finger of the user. Such a function may be practical in the case where a user grips the terminal <NUM> by both hands due to stability in a trend where a screen of the display unit <NUM> of a portable terminal <NUM> is gradually changed to a large screen. That is, according to the prior art, when the user grips a large screen by both hands, although a key map is output through a full screen or a part of a screen, the key map is displayed in a central portion of the screen, which a thumb finger of the user usually cannot reach. Accordingly, in the prior art, the user grips one side of the terminal by one hand and grips an opposite side of the terminal by a finger of other hand except for a thumb finger to select a specific key output on a screen, but the terminal may inevitably be in an unstable grip state. The present invention allows a user to easily operate a key map using a thumb finger while solving the foregoing problem, and may easily support maintenance and use of the terminal <NUM>.

The foregoing terminal <NUM> may further include various additional modules and components known in the art according to any known and needed functionality. That is, when the terminal <NUM> of the present invention is a communication terminal, the terminal <NUM> may include constructions and components that are not mentioned herein such as a near distance communication module for near distance communication, an interface exchanging data in a wired communication configuration or a wireless communication configuration of the terminal <NUM>, an Internet communication module communicating with an Internet to perform an Internet function, and a digital broadcasting module receiving and broadcasting digital data and content. Since the structural elements can be variously changed according to the convergence trend of digital devices, no exhaustive list of known components, modules, and elements can be practically provided, but which can be included in the present invention. However, the terminal <NUM> may include structural elements equivalent to the foregoing structural elements. Further, the terminal <NUM> of the present invention may be substituted by specific constructions in the foregoing arrangements according to any known or desired functionality and construction. Specific elements in the foregoing arrangements of terminal <NUM> of the present invention may be omitted or substituted by other elements according to the desired functionality and construction to implement at least the features and functions of the present invention, as well as any additional or necessary features and functions. This can be easily understood to those skilled in the present art.

For example, the terminal <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes various information communication devices and multi-media devices such as a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a digital broadcasting player, a music player, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a music player (e.g., MP3 player), a portable game terminal, a smart phone, a notebook PC, and a handheld PC as well as mobile communication terminals operating based on respective communication protocols corresponding to various communication systems, and application devices thereof.

As is seen from the forgoing description, using the method of operating an input area which is output on a display unit and a terminal supporting the same according the present invention, the present invention maximizes operation performance of the terminal based on a one-hand grip of the user so that usability of the terminal is improved and the terminal can be easily operated.

The above-described apparatus and methods according to the present invention can be implemented in hardware or firmware, or as software or computer code, or combinations thereof. In addition, the software or computer code can also be stored in a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD ROM, a RAM, a ROM whether erasable or rewritable or not, a floppy disk, CDs, DVDs, memory chips, a hard disk, a magnetic storage media, an optical recording media, or a magneto-optical disk or computer code downloaded over a network originally stored on a remote recording medium, a computer readable 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, computer code, software modules, software objects, instructions, applications, applets, apps, etc. that is stored on the recording medium using a general purpose computer, a digital 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 volatile and/or non-volatile storage and 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. In addition, the program may be electronically transferred through any medium such as communication signals transmitted by wire/wireless connections, and their equivalents. The programs and computer readable recording medium can also be distributed in network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Claim 1:
A mobile terminal (<NUM>) comprising:
a touch screen (<NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>) configured to:
execute an application,
display, on the touch screen (<NUM>), a first keypad (<NUM>) of a basic form associated with the application on a screen of the application based on a first input during displaying the screen of the application,
receive a second input for setting a one-hand operation mode while the application is executed,
in response to receiving the second input for setting the one-hand operation mode, display a second keypad (<NUM>, <NUM>) biased towards a first direction relative to a center of the screen and having a reduced size of the first keypad (<NUM>), a first additional information output area, and a first change item (<NUM>, <NUM>) for changing a location of the second keypad (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the first direction to a second direction relative to the center of the screen,
receive a third input for selecting the first change item (<NUM>, <NUM>) while displaying the second keypad (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the first change item, and
in response to receiving the third input for selecting the first change item (<NUM>, <NUM>), change the location of the second keypad (<NUM>, <NUM>) by displaying the second keypad (<NUM>, <NUM>) biased towards the second direction opposite to the first direction, a second additional information output area, and a second change item (<NUM>, <NUM>) for changing a location of the second keypad (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the second direction to the first direction relative to the center of the screen,
wherein a size and a location of the second keypad (<NUM>, <NUM>) are determined based on preset information on a one-hand operation range of a user, and
wherein each of the first keypad (<NUM>) and the second keypad (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a plurality of keys associated with the application, and a size of respective keys on the second keypad (<NUM>, <NUM>) are relatively smaller than a size of respective keys on the first keypad (<NUM>).