Patent ID: 12242720

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Turning first toFIG.1, which is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the mobile terminal includes an RF (Radio Frequency) module1for transmitting and receiving radio signals, an audio processing unit3for processing audio signals input and output through a microphone MIC and speaker SPK, a user input unit9allowing a user to request a scrolling operation, a display unit7for displaying information, a memory unit12for storing user information and programs for controlling the terminal, and a control unit5for controlling an overall operation of the terminal including the scrolling operation of the present invention.

In addition, the control unit5displays information such as pictures, scheduling information, contact information, etc. on the display unit4based on instructions entered into the input unit9. The control unit5also controls a scrolling speed of information scrolled through on the display unit9via instructions entered on the input unit9.

Further, the input unit9includes various input devices for inputting numbers and text information and for controlling different operations of the terminal. For example, the input unit9includes keypads, direction keys, side keys, etc., as well a sensor device allowing the user to input information on the terminal. For example, the input unit9may include a touch screen on the display unit7allowing the user to input information by touching the touch screen. The sensor device may also include a touching sensor, distance sensor, a terrestrial magnetism sensor, etc.

Further, the direction keys, the side keys, the sensor device, etc. may be set as the device the user uses to scroll through information on the display unit7. The scrolling operation of the present invention will be discussed in more detail later. The scrolling key may also be set as a plurality of keys for scrolling start/stop/acceleration/retardation, etc. or only one key may be set.

In addition, the set scrolling key(s) may be used to perform several different functions. For example, the scrolling speed may be increased by the user pressing a pressure sensor key set as the scrolling key for a longer period of time or with more pressure. The scrolling speed may also be increased by selecting a particular touch sensor key in a rapid manner (e.g., double or triple clicking a particular key).

In addition, as shown inFIG.1, the memory unit12stores user schedule information16such as photos, phone book data, and stores schedule control program(s)14. The memory unit12also stores a scrolling program18for performing a scrolling operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the user schedule information16includes schedule information such as appointments, business plans, etc. input by a user, and related information such as the date, time, place, etc. of the corresponding schedule.

In addition, the schedule control program14supplies the input and output interfaces for the user schedule information16, and controls user schedule information entered by the user. For instance, an input window for inputting schedule information and a display window to display the entered information are provided. In addition, the schedule control function performs a reminder function, etc. on a corresponding date and time of input user schedule information16.

In addition, a FLASH program may be used with the scrolling program18. In more detail, the FLASH program is copyrighted software developed by Macromedia, and is used for making animation pictures based on vectors accompanying simple interaction.

The FLASH program is also useful for controlling the input and output of pictures displayed on the terminal. For example, pictures can be displayed in a rapid manner so as to create a smooth presentation of the displayed pictures. Therefore, the scrolling program18can be created to display graphic data at variable speeds to coincide with a scrolling speed set by the present invention.

Further, the control unit5controls the different functions of the mobile terminal such as the phone book function, the schedule function, the memo function, the album function, etc. based on controlling data stored in the memory unit12. The control unit5also displays text and images on the display unit7. In addition, the control unit5controls an image or other information displayed on the display unit7to be scrolled in upper, lower, left and right direction in accordance with information input by the user through the input unit9. The control unit5also starts the scrolling operation and increases the scrolling speed slowly when a scrolling start signal is first input, and then controls the scrolling operation to be stopped at a desired final part while slowly decreasing the scrolling speed when a scrolling stop signal is input.

Further, when the corresponding scrolling signals are input and the scrolling acceleration/retardation function is turned on, the control unit5controls the scrolling speed variously. For example, the control unit5increases the scrolling speed when a user increases the pressure on an input pressure sensor or when the user continuously touches a touch sensor. The scrolling program18controls the scrolling speed in accordance with information input by the user.

Turning next toFIG.2, which is a scrolling operation state diagram illustrating how a scrolling speed is changed according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG.2, a scroll line22and a scroll bar20are displayed on the display unit7when data to be displayed on the screen is larger than the size of the screen. Further, the scroll line22indicates an overall length and breadth of the graphic data, and the location of the scroll bar20indicates a location of the currently displayed graphic data against the length of the entire graphic data. In addition, a user can determine that the end of the data is displayed when the scroll bar22reaches the end of the scroll line22. The user can also determine the middle portion of the data is being displayed when the scroll bar22is at the middle of the scroll line22.

In addition, when the user selects the scrolling function through the user input unit9, a scrolling start signal is sent to the control unit5, and thus the control unit5starts to scroll the information displayed on the display unit7at the starting point “a.” Further, as shown inFIG.2, the control unit5slowly increases the scrolling speed or acceleration until the position “b” and then slowly decreases the scrolling speed or acceleration until the scrolling operation is stopped at point “c.” The user can also check the scrolling condition as the scroll bar20moves on the scroll line22with the same speed as the scrolling speed of the information displayed on the display unit7. Further, the information displayed on the display unit7is displayed naturally.

In addition, the user can skip through portions of the information because the scrolling speed or acceleration is initially increased and then decreased as shown inFIG.2. That is, the scrolling speed is not constant. Therefore, the user can easily search photo data, phone book data, schedule data, etc.

Next,FIG.3is a display state diagram of a schedule control display window according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the schedule control display window displays the user schedule information16on the display unit7. Further, the user can scroll through the displayed information using the scroll bar30displayed on a time scroll line32. In more detail, the schedule control display window supplied by the schedule control program14includes a schedule view window35for displaying information, a first time line37and a second time line41, the time scroll bar30and the time scroll line32displaying the date of the currently displayed schedule and displaying the scrolling condition of the schedule view window35, and menus43.

Further, the user can input and edit the schedule information using the add and edit functions included in the menus43. The user can also set an environment such as setting the color of the schedule view window35, the displaying condition, etc. using the option function. In addition, the schedule information such as events, appointments, location, etc. input by the user are displayed on the schedule view window35. Photos or other graphics may also be displayed at the same time.

In addition, schedule information per day is displayed on the schedule view window35. Further, the breadth size of the user schedule information is generally larger than a size of the display. Thus, the user can check the information not displayed on the schedule view window35using the scroll bar40supplied on the schedule view window35. Thus, in this example, there are two scroll bars: the scroll bar30for scrolling through different days in the schedule, and the scroll bar40used for scrolling through information displayed per day on the display window35.

Further, the first time line37displays the different days in a month, the second time line41displays the months, and the time scroll bar30can be used to scroll through the different days of the month. As shown inFIG.3, the scroll bar30is positioned between the first time line37and the second time line41. That is, the time scroll line32and the time scroll bar30are displayed under the first time line37displaying the different days of the month. Thus, the user can scroll through the different days of the month using the scroll bar30.

In more detail, the user can move the scroll bar30in a left or right direction on the scroll line32to respectively show dates earlier or later in the corresponding month. For example, the first time line37inFIG.3displays the date from the 21st to the 27th. Thus, the user can display dates after 27th by moving the scroll bar30in the right direction, and display the dates before the 21st by moving the scroll bar30in the left direction.

In addition, it also possible to display the dates having input schedule information using schedule directors30a,30band30c. For example, the first time line37inFIG.3includes the schedule directors30a,30band30con each of the dates 23rd, 24th and 26th. Further, the current day of the present month is first displayed at a center position as a standard when the schedule controlling function is first started. Also, the second time line41displays the months, and the current month or selected month is highlighted. For example, inFIG.3, the selected or current month is MAY. Further, when the scroll bar30is moved into a new month, the new month is then highlighted.

Turning now toFIG.4, which is a graph illustrating a scrolling speed of the schedule view window35shown inFIG.3. As discussed previously, the user can select the scrolling function using the input unit9. For example, the user can select a direction key or side key as the scrolling key, or select a left/right key or up/down key as the scrolling key. Further, when the display is a touch screen, the user can simply touch and drag the time scroll bar30.

As shown inFIG.4, the user moves the time scroll bar30in a right direction from the 24thday to the 26thday. As shown in the lower portion ofFIG.4, the scrolling speed is initially increased and then decreased. This is similar toFIG.2. Thus, in this example, the schedule information displayed on the terminal moves from the 24thdate to the 26thdate with the scrolling speed being increased slowly and then decreased slowly and finally stopped.

Further, as illustrated inFIG.4, the schedule directors39a,39band39care displayed. Thus, the scrolling operation stops at the day of 26thon which the schedule director39cis indicated. Further, the scroll bar30stops as the speed is slowly decreased at the location of the 26thday. Further, when a user selects the scrolling speed be accelerated, the time scroll bar30is scrolled faster than before.

Next,FIGS.5and6are display state diagrams illustrating a scrolling operation for appointments according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this example,FIG.5illustrates the schedule information being scrolled in left and right directions, andFIG.6illustrates the schedule information being scrolled in upper and lower directions.

As shown inFIG.5, the schedule information is displayed in a book format and the user can scroll through pages of the schedule by moving the scroll bar30on the scroll line32. As discussed above, the user can use a key on the terminal to move the scroll bar30or simply drag the scroll bar30when the display is a touch screen. The control unit5also variably adjusts the scroll speed as discussed above.

Further, as shown inFIG.5, the displayed window also includes the schedule directors39a,39band39indicating the 23rd, the 24thand the 26thday of the month. Further, the currently displayed dates include the pages50aand50bcorresponding to May 23 and May 24, respectively. Thus, when the user moves the scroll bar30in the right direction (as shown by the arrow), the pages in the schedule book are scrolled through in the left direction (with an initial increased scroll acceleration and then a decreased scroll acceleration).

FIG.6is similar toFIG.5, but the pages50aand50bare displayed one above the other. In this example, the pages of the schedule book are scrolled in an up and down fashion. The schedule directors25a,25band25care also displayed inFIG.6. The scroll speed is also adjusted variably as discussed above.

Further,FIG.7illustrates an example of a user scrolling through CDs or album covers according to an embodiment of the present invention. In more detail, the user can download their favorite music onto their mobile terminal. The music (e.g., MP3 files) may be organized into albums, types of music, etc. In the example ofFIG.6, the music is arranged into groups of albums60. Further, the user can scroll through the arrangement of albums using the scroll bar30. The scroll speed and other elements can be operated in a similar manner as discussed above with respect to the other embodiments. Thus, the user can easily scroll through their music files.

In addition, as shown inFIG.7, an album corresponding to where the scrolling album has stopped is displayed horizontally so the user can easily see the album cover. Further, information may be written on edges of the music album so the user can also view the title and other information related to the particular CD or music selection. The albums may also be separated from each other by a sufficient distance such that the user can see a portion of the front cover of the album as well as the edge portion. The CDs or albums are also displayed at an angle so a user can see a portion of the front cover of the CD or album.

In addition, the above-description describes the user using the scroll bar to scroll through information. However, the user can also use his or her finger to “flip” or scroll through pages of information rather than using the scroll bar. That is, when the display is a touch screen, the user can simply “flick” the display screen to scroll or flip through pages of the information. For example, and with reference toFIG.7, the user can simply place his or her finger over the CDs and drag or flick their finger in a direction he or she wants to scroll.

In addition, the control unit5determines a distance of a stroke of the user's finger and scrolls a predetermined amount based on the determined distance. For example, if the user strokes or drags his or her finger across the screen a short distance, the control unit5would scroll a less amount of albums than if the user strokes or drags his or her finger all the way across the screen. In addition, the memory unit12can store a table including values related to a stroke distance and an amount of information (e.g., pages) to scroll through. For example, if the user strokes his or her finger 10 cm across the touch screen, the control unit can flip through 20 pages, if the user strokes his or her finger across the screen 5 cm, the control unit can flip through 5 pages, etc. The amount of information to scroll through can also be set and changed by the user using menu options provided with the terminal.

For example, the user can create a table including stroke distances and a corresponding number of pages to flip through using menus provided with the terminal. Thus, the amount of information to be scrolled through can be variably set by the user, which is particularly advantageous because each user may have different scrolling preferences. In addition, the control unit can also determine an amount of information to scroll through based on how much pressure the user uses to perform a scrolling operation.

In addition, the user can also press a particular button on the terminal (or a portion of a touch screen) to rapidly scroll information. That is, the control unit rapidly scrolls through information as long as the user is pressing or touching the particular button, and then when the user release the particular button, the control unit begins to slow down the scrolling operation. Thus, the user controls when the scrolling operation is to begin slowing down. This differs from the above examples in which the user moves the scroll bar to a particular location and the control unit automatically increases and decreases the scrolling speed to the information corresponding to where the scroll bar is finally located is displayed.

Thus, in accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present invention, when the intervals between information to be scrolled through is large, the information in the middle that the user is not particularly interested in can be scrolled through rapidly. In addition, the user can scroll through the information by moving the scroll bar or by continuously pressing a particular scrolling key.

Further, the scrolling operation in which the scrolling speed is increased and then decreased results in information being displayed in an efficient manner. That is, the information is naturally displayed as the scrolling is stopped, and is rapidly displayed when the scrolling speed is increased.

In addition, the above-described scrolling operations can be applied to all types of information used in mobile communication terminals, such as searching photos, searching phone book information stored, etc. Further, the present invention is particular advantageous over other scrolling methods because the user can quickly and efficiently scroll through information. On the contrary, other scrolling methods only scroll through information at a constant speed (i.e., one page at a time). Further, the other scrolling methods do not allow the user to adjust or set a desired scrolling speed.

This invention may be conveniently implemented using a conventional general purpose digital computer or microprocessor programmed according to the teachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art. The invention may also be implemented by the preparation of application specific integrated circuits whereby interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional computer circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any portion of the present invention implemented on a general purpose digital computer or microprocessor includes a computer program product which is a storage medium including instructions which can be used to program a computer to perform a process of the invention.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.