Mobile communication terminal with touch screen and information inputting method using the same

(54) Title: MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL WITH TOUCH SENSITIVE SCREEN AND INFORMATION ENTRY METHOD USING THE SAME (30) Unionist Priority: 07/02/2007 kr 10-2007-0012637 (71) Depositor (s): LG Electroncis Inc. (KR) (72) Inventor (s): Phii Sagong (74) Attorney: Isabella Cardozo Van Den Bos (57) Summary: MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL WITH TOUCH-SENSITIVE SCREEN AND INFORMATION ENTRY METHOD USING THE SAME. A mobile terminal communication method, which includes activating a touchscreen of the mobile terminal, entering an inactive touchscreen mode preventing information from being entered on the touchscreen of the mobile terminal while a function is performed on the terminal , receive an input signal via a specified key arranged on the terminal for a time when the idle touchscreen mode is entered, and enter an active touchscreen mode allowing information to be entered on the touchscreen according to the input signal received.

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MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL WITH TOUCH SCREEN AND INFORMATION ENTRY METHOD USING THE SAME

Field of Invention /

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and corresponding method that first prevents information from being entered on a terminal's touchscreen when a call is connected, and then allows the information to be entered on the touchscreen during the call connected after receiving a signal from a key button on the terminal.

Fundamentals of the Invention

Mobile communication terminals now use a touchscreen allowing the user to enter information into the terminal via the touchscreen. For example, the user can dial a phone number by touching numbers displayed on the touchscreen. The user then touches a call button on the touchscreen to call the entered phone number. The touchscreen is then deactivated to prevent the user from inadvertently entering information on the touchscreen while the call is connected.

However, because the touch screen is disabled, the user cannot perform another task such as writing a memo, etc. while the call is connected. Therefore, the user cannot perform other tasks while he or she is calling someone else.

Summary of the Invention

Consequently, an objective of the present invention is to achieve the objectives noted above and others.

Another objective of the present invention is to allow the user to perform other functions or tasks on the touchscreen in the middle of a call.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as incorporated and widely described herein, the present invention provides in one aspect a mobile terminal communication method, which includes activating a mobile terminal touch screen, entering an idle touchscreen mode preventing information from being entered on the touchscreen of the handset while a function is performed on the handset, receiving an input signal via a specified key arranged on the terminal during a time when the idle touchscreen mode is entered, and entering an active touchscreen mode allowing information to be entered on the touchscreen according to the input signal received.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a mobile communication terminal, which includes a touch screen, a first key button, and a control unit configured to enter an inactive touch screen mode preventing information from being inserted into the touchscreen of the handset while a function is performed on the handset, receive an input signal via the first key button for a time when the idle touchscreen mode is entered, and enter an active touchscreen mode allowing information to be entered on the touchscreen according to the input signal received.

Additional scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given here earlier. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred modalities of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications in the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from that description. detailed.

Brief Description of Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given here below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limiting the present invention, and where:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exterior view illustrating a mobile communication terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of mobile communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an overview illustrating information displayed on a terminal touch screen when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an overview illustrating a mini keyboard displayed on a terminal touch screen when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an overview illustrating a mini keyboard and input mode selection buttons displayed on a terminal touch screen when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an overview illustrating a writing data plate displayed on a terminal touch screen when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an overview illustrating a writing data plate and display window including content written on the writing data plate displayed on a terminal touch screen when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

0 FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a mobile communication method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an overview illustrating a photo being displayed on a terminal touch screen when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating yet another method of mobile communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is an overview illustrating a list of applications that can be run when the call is connected.

Detailed Description of Preferred Arrangements

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

Returning first to FIG. 1, which is a block diagram illustrating a mobile communication terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, mobile terminal 100 includes a mobile communication module 10, a memory unit 11, a touch screen 12, a key input unit 13 and a control unit 14. In addition, a bus 15 connects each of the aforementioned components, and the key input unit 13 includes a first key button 131 and a second key button 132.

FIG. 2 is an exterior view illustrating the mobile communication terminal shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the handset includes the key input unit 13 and touch screen 12. Additionally, the first and second key buttons 131 and 132 are provided on opposite sides of the terminal 100. Note that technology buttons 131 and 132 can be provided at any convenient location on terminal 100 such that the user can easily find and select any key button 131 and 132.

In addition, the mobile communication module 10 is a wireless communication device used to send and receive data to and from a corresponding mobile communication network. For example, calls and messages are sent and received using the mobile communication module 10. A5 additionally, memory unit 11 stores software control programs to control the total operations of terminal 100, and also stores other types of data input, output and data processed by control unit 14.

In addition, the touch screen 12 acts as both a screen for displaying information to the user and an input device allowing the user to enter information on terminal 100. The key input unit 13 is also used to enter information or instruct the user. terminal 100 to perform a specific function. Note that touch screen 12 can also be used to instruct terminal 100 to perform a specific function.

The key input unit 13 includes key buttons to perform a predetermined function such as several number keys, arrow keys, etc. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the key input unit 13 including a send call and end call button in addition to the first and second key buttons 131 and 132.

Additionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first key button 131 is used by the user to enter an information entry mode while a call is connected, and the second key button 132 is used to enable or disable the touchscreen touch 12. Also, in another mode, it is possible to use either the first button 131 or the second button 132 to both enter the information entry mode and to activate and deactivate the touch screen 12.

In addition, the control unit 14 controls the complete operations of the mobile terminal 100 and controls each of the modules / units described in FIG. 1. Additionally, although not shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 with the touch sensitive web 12 may also include a transmission receiving module capable of receiving transmission signals from a transmission network, a communication module capable of communicating with the wireless Internet, a camera module, a vibration module to generate vibration, and various types of sensors (for example, GPS sensors, etc.).

Turning now to FIG. 3, which is a flow chart illustrating a method of mobile communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 will also be listed in that description. As shown, a call is first connected via the mobile communication module 10 (S300), and the touch screen 12 is automatically entered in a non-activation mode (S310). That is, when the call is connected, the control unit 14 places the touchscreen 12 in an unactivated state that prevents the user from accidentally entering information on the touchscreen 12 during the phone call. That is, even if the user touches screen 12 during the non-activated state, no information is entered on the mobile terminal 100.

In more detail, FIG. 4 is an overview illustrating information displayed on the terminal's touchscreen when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, when the call is connected, the touchscreen 12 displays the amount of time the user has been speaking for that particular call in a display window 20, and the name and phone number of the person calling in another window display 21. Additionally, at the top of the touchscreen 12, symbols indicating a reception signal value, battery level, time of day, a telephone symbol 22 indicating that the call is connected, etc. are displayed.

Returning to FIG. 3, the user then presses or selects the first key button 131 while the call is connected (S320). That is, the user presses the first key button 131 to place the touchscreen 12 in an activated state, even if the call is currently connected. Thus, when the user manipulates (presses, touches, selects, etc.) the first key button 131, the control unit 14 receives an input signal indicating that the touch screen 12 is placed in an activated state.

Then, the control unit 14 places the touchscreen 12 in an activated state, which includes an information entry mode (S330). FIGs. 5-8 illustrate different examples of the information entry mode and will be described below. Additionally, in the information entry mode, the user can enter a variety of different types of information on the touchscreen 12.

Then, in step S340, the control unit 14 determines whether the user has entered any information via the touchscreen 12 in a predetermined amount of time (for example, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.) (S340). If the user does not enter any information on the touchscreen 12 during the predetermined amount of time (not on S340), the process returns to step S310 and the control unit 14 puts the touchscreen 12 back to the state of no activation.

Conversely, if the user has entered information on the touchscreen 12 (yes in S340), the control unit 14 processes, executes, etc. the corresponding function (S350). For example, the control unit 14 stores the input information in the memory unit 11, and / or performs a function specified with the input information.

Going back to FIGs. 5 to 8, which are overviews illustrating different examples of entry mode when the user selects the first 131 key button when a call is connected. FIG. 1 will also be referenced in this description.

In more detail, FIG. 5 is an overview illustrating a mini keyboard displayed on the terminal's touchscreen when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. That is, as shown, the control unit 14 displays a mini numeric keypad 40, a display window 30 showing numbers entered via the mini numeric keypad 40, and a function button 50 to perform a function specified on the touchscreen 12.

As shown in the example in FIG. 5, the user has selected the first key button 131 to enter an input mode from the disabled mode shown in FIG.

4. The user also entered the number 109 using the mini numeric keypad 40 while speaking to the person named Gil-dong, Hong (see FIG. 4). Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, function button 50 includes a memo button and a call button 52.

Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the user is entering a third party's phone number such as to insert the third party into a conference call with the third party (ie Mr. Gil-dong Hong). Therefore, when the user has entered all the numbers required to call the third party, the user can select call button 52 to initiate the conference call. The memo button 51 will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 7 and 8.

Going back to FIG. 6, which is an overview illustrating a mini keyboard and input mode selection buttons displayed on the terminal's touchscreen when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In more detail, FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, except that the control unit 14 displays a mini keyboard 60 that includes letters / numbers / symbols for display, display window 30 showing information entered via mini keyboard 60, and an input mode selection window 70 for selecting the type of input mode (for example, character mode such as Korean or English, a number mode or a symbol mode).

In addition, FIG. 6 illustrates four touch buttons including Korean, English, number and symbol for input selection window 70. However, input mode selection window 70 can include only one of the touch buttons, in which the input mode is alternated in Korean, English, number and symbol order each time the user touches the key button.

In addition, as shown in the example of FIG. 6, the 10 user entered the phrase tomorrow at 6 by touching the appropriate letters and numbers on the mini keyboard 60 and using the input mode selection window 70 (that is, the phrase tomorrow at 6 is shown as having been entered via display window 30). Note that the user performed this entry while he or she is still connected to the third Mr. Gil-dong Hong (ie, the telephone indicator 22 and the talk time in the display window 20 indicate that the call is currently connected). That is, the user is able to activate this input mode by manipulating the first 131 key button.

In addition, the user can save the entered information using the mini keyboard 60 and appropriate buttons in the input mode selection window 70 by selecting the save button displayed at the bottom of the touch screen 12. The user can also cancel this operation by selecting the cancel button or switching to a different menu entry operation by selecting the menu button.

Going back to FIG. 7, which is an overview illustrating a writing data plate displayed on the touchscreen 12 of the terminal when a call is connected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Note that this modality is similar to the modalities shown in FIGs. 5 and 6 where the user can enter this entry mode by initially selecting the first key button 131.

In more detail, after the user selects the first key button 10, the control unit 14 displays a writing data plate window 80 allowing the user to write information in real time while still being connected with the individual making the original call. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, the user can enter the memo tomorrow at 6 in the writing input window 80 using that finger (or a pressure sensitive pen) while still connected to Mr. Gil-dong, Hong.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, except that the control unit 14 additionally displays an input window of

0 information 90, which displays the information input by the user using the writing data plate 80. In more detail, the mobile terminal according to this modality includes a symbol recognition or character recognition algorithm that recognizes the information written on the plate writing data 80 and displays this information in input window 90.

In addition, the user can use the function button 50 illustrated in FIGs. 5, 7 and 8 to perform a predetermined function. For example, the user can use the memo button 51 to save any information entered (for example, in the display window 30 in FIG. 5, or the information entered in the writing data plate 80 in FIGS. 7 and 8).

Thus, the user can save a simple memo to memory unit 11 while talking to a person over the phone.

In addition, the user can use call button 52 to set up a conference call with a third party (as discussed above). For example, if user A is talking to friend B and wants to add a friend C to the call with friend Β, user A can use call button 52 to initiate the call to the third party with friend C. In addition, because of the advantageous memo characteristics of the present invention, user A can first ask friend B for the phone number of friend C (assuming that user A does not know the number) and write the number of friend C using the memo characteristics described above. Then, user A can select call button 51 to make a call to friend C to establish a conference call with a third party with user A and friends B and C. A third, etc. it can also be added in a similar way.

Turning now to FIG. 9, which is a flow chart illustrating a method of mobile communication in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIGs. 1 and 2 will also be listed in this description.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the call is first connected (S900), the control unit 14 first puts the touch screen 12 in non-activate mode (S910). Then, in step S920, the control unit 14 receives the input signal via the first key button 131 in the state that a call is connected. This is similar to the modality in FIG. 3.

This modality differs from the modality shown in FIG. 3, because when the user selects the first weave button 131 to re-activate the touch screen 12, the mode in FIG. 9 re-activates the touch screen 12 and displays a photo related to a predetermined application on the touch screen 12.

For example, FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a predetermined photo being displayed on the touchscreen 12 when the user selects the first key button 131. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, a predetermined photo 110 is displayed indicating to the user that the camera mode is now activated. Thus, the user can take a photo and perform other camera functions (save photos, create photo album, etc.) using the different function buttons.

In addition, similar to the embodiment in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 14 determines whether the user has entered any commands or information on the touchscreen 12 in a predetermined amount of time (S940). If the user did not enter any commands or information in the predetermined period of time (not in S940), the process returns in step S910 and the touch screen 12 is deactivated. Alternatively, if the user entered a command or other information related to the function displayed (for example, camera function in this example), the control unit 14 performs the corresponding function (S950).

Next, FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating yet another method of mobile communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Steps S100, S110 and S120 are the same as steps S300, S310 and S320 in FIG. 3 and steps S900, S910 and S920 in FIG. 9, and therefore a detailed description will not be repeated.

In FIG. 11, however, when the user selects 10 the first key button 131, the control unit 14 reactivates the touchscreen 12 and presents a list of applications or functions that the user can select from while still connected with a original call (S130). Then, the control unit 14 determines whether the user selects one of the applications or functions (S140) and executes any selected application or function (S150). If the user does not select a function in a predetermined amount of time (not in S140), the process returns to step S110 and touch screen 12 is disabled again.

For example, FIG. 12 is an overview illustrating a list of five applications being displayed by the control unit 14 when the user selects the first key button 131 (again, note that the call is still connected as indicated by identifier 22). In this example, the control unit 14 displays a list including a camera function, music playing function, a video playing function, an electronic calendar function and a network search function16 and an instant window 120 on the touch screen 12. The user can then select one of the functions / applications by touching the corresponding function / application. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates the camera function being selected as identified by selection identifier 121. Thus, in this example, the control unit 14 would then perform the camera function.

In addition, the displayed list of applications or functions can be preset by a terminal manufacturer and can also be adjusted by a user using the appropriate menu functions on the terminal. Thus, the displayed list of functions can be changed by the user as needed.

In addition, the modes described above illustrate certain applications or functions (for example, mini keyboard, writing data card, etc.) being displayed on the touchscreen when the user selects the first 131 key button. Note that the user you can enter the specific program or function that it wants to appear when selecting the first key button 131 using the appropriate menu options on the terminal.

For example, the user can previously establish the various specified applications such as a function of playing music, a function of playing video, etc. to be displayed, instead of the camera application illustrated in FIG. 10.

As described above, mobile communication terminal 100 has a first separate key button 131 to enter information entry mode and a second separate key button 132 to establish activation of non-activation of the touch screen 12. However , it is possible to use only one key button to perform both functions. In this instance, the control unit 14 decides which function to perform based on the operation of the single key button (for example, the single key can be pressed once to perform the on / off function, and pressed twice to perform the function of input information mode, etc.). The single key button can also be pressed for a short amount of time to indicate a first function and pressed a long amount of time to indicate a second function.

For example, assume that both functions are assigned to the first key button 131. In this instance, the control unit 14 controls the function of setting the touch screen 12 on and off to be performed when a long key signal is received. from the first key button 131. In addition, the control unit 14 controls the touch screen 12 to be entered in the information entry mode when a short key signal is received from the first key button 131.

The mobile communication terminal described above and corresponding method has several advantages. For example, the user can conveniently enter predetermined information on an activated touchscreen while talking on the phone. In addition, the user can conveniently process information input via the activated touch screen while the user is talking on the phone. In addition, the user can easily enter a specific application while talking on the phone.

This invention can be conveniently implemented using a conventional general purpose digital computer or microprocessor programmed in accordance with the teachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer technique. Appropriate software coding can be readily prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present description, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software technique. The invention can also be implemented by preparing specific integrated circuits for application by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional computer circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

As the present invention can be incorporated in various ways without giving up its spirit or essential characteristics, it should also be understood that the modalities described above are not limited by any of the details of the previous description, unless otherwise specified, but preference should be constructed largely in its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the goals and limits of the claims, or equivalence of such goals and limits are therefore intended to be covered by the attached claims.

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