Method and apparatus for searching

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

0001This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0172377, filed on Dec. 3, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

00021. Field

0003Methods and apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a method and an apparatus for searching.

00042. Description of the Related Art

0005Mobile terminals are portable devices having at least one selected from an audio and video communication function, an information input/output function, and a data storage function.

0006Along with the development of telecommunication technology and the increasing demands of users, functions of mobile terminals have become more complicated and varied. For example, mobile terminals may be provided as multifunctional multimedia devices capable of capturing photographs and videos, playing music, video files, and games, and receiving broadcasts. Also, various messaging services are provided via mobile terminals, for example, a text messaging service, i.e., a short message service (SMS), and a multimedia message service (MMS).

0007Due to the recent development of wireless Internet and telecommunication, mobile terminals may be used to search for information. To search for information by using a mobile terminal, a user may have to wirelessly access a search site on the Internet that transmits an extensive amount of information, and input keywords related to an object of interest on the search website. The user may also spend a considerable amount of time to find useful information from a search result.

0008Therefore, a method and an apparatus for providing various search results based on search information that is input by a user may be developed.

SUMMARY

0009Exemplary embodiments address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the exemplary embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and may not overcome any of the problems described above.

0010One or more exemplary embodiments provide a terminal capable of receiving search various data types of information, and providing various search results by using search engines or applications based on the data types.

0011One or more exemplary embodiments provide a terminal capable of receiving search information, and providing search results received from a plurality of search engines or applications.

0012One or more exemplary embodiments provide a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program, which, when executed by a computer, performs a search method.

0013According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a terminal including a first input interface configured to acquire first search information of a first data type, and a second input interface configured to acquire second search information of a second data type, the first data type being different from the second data type. The terminal further includes a searcher configured to identify whether search information is acquired from at least one among the first input interface and the second input interface, and acquire a search result from data storage based on the search information, in response to the searcher identifying that the search information is acquired from at least one among the first input interface and the second input interface. The terminal further includes an output interface configured to provide the search result.

0014The searcher may be further configured to acquire search start information from at least one among the first input interface and the second input interface, and acquire the search information from at least one among the first input interface and the second input interface based on the search start information.

0015The searcher may be further configured to, in response to the search start information instructing to acquire the search information from the first input interface, acquire the search information from the first input interface, and in response to the search start information instructing to acquire the search information from the second input interface, acquire the search information from the second input interface.

0016The searcher may be further configured to acquire the search result, using an application corresponding to a data type of the search information.

0017The searcher may be further configured to convert the search information to other search information having another data type different from the data type of the search information, and acquire another search result, using another application corresponding to the other data type of the other search information.

0018The output interface may be further configured to provide the search result acquired using the application corresponding to the data type of the search information, and provide the other search result acquired using the other application corresponding to the other data type of the other search information.

0019A data type of the search information may include at least one among text data, audio data, video data, and still image data.

0020The data storage may include a server, and the terminal may further include a communicator configured to receive, from the server, the search result acquired based on the search information.

0021The searcher may be further configured to determine an application based on at least one among a category of the search information and user information of the terminal, and acquire the search result, using the determined application.

0022The user information may include at least one among location information of the terminal, search time information, and usage frequency information of the application.

0023The searcher may be further configured to determine data to be used to acquire the search result, among data in the data storage, based on a mode of the terminal, and acquire the search result from the determined data.

0024The mode may include at least one among a user mode, a guest mode, a terminal lock mode, and a network use mode.

0025The searcher may be further configured to acquire the search result from public information, in response to the mode of the terminal being the guest mode.

0026The searcher may be further configured to control the output interface to provide the search result, using at least one among search result history information, search result information of another user other than a user of the terminal, previously-used application information, user preference information of the terminal, and user schedule information of the terminal.

0027According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of searching in a terminal, the method including identifying whether search information is acquired from at least one among a first input interface acquiring first search information of a first data type and a second input interface acquiring second search information of a second data type, the first data type being different from the second data type. The method further includes acquiring a search result from data storage based on the search information, in response to the identifying that the search information is acquired from at least one among the first input interface and the second input interface, and providing the search result.

0028The method may further include acquiring search start information from at least one among the first input interface and the second input interface, and acquiring the search information from at least one among the first input interface and the second input interface based on the search start information.

0029The acquiring the search result may include acquiring the search result, using an application corresponding to a data type of the search information.

0030The method may further include converting the search information to other search information having another data type different from the data type of the search information, and acquiring another search result, using another application corresponding to the other data type of the other search information.

0031The data storage may include a server, and the acquiring the search result may include receiving, from the server, the search result acquired based on the search information.

0032According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program comprising instructions to cause a computer to perform a method of searching in a terminal, the method comprising identifying whether search information is acquired from at least one among a first input interface acquiring first search information of a first data type and a second input interface acquiring second search information of a second data type, the first data type being different from the second data type. The method further includes acquiring a search result from data storage based on the search information, in response to the identifying that the search information is acquired from at least one among the first input interface and the second input interface, and providing the search result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0033The above and/or other aspects will be more apparent by describing exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a conceptual diagram illustrating a terminal for searching according to an exemplary embodiment;

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a terminal for searching according to an exemplary embodiment;

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a search method of a terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of editing settings in a terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0038<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of editing settings in a terminal, according to another exemplary embodiment;

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a diagram illustrating a terminal searching by acquiring audio data type search information, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a diagram illustrating a terminal searching by acquiring text data type search information, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a diagram illustrating a terminal searching by detecting location information, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0042<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processes of data type conversion, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0043<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a diagram illustrating processes of data type conversion, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0044<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a diagram illustrating a terminal searching according to a command, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0045<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of editing settings in a terminal, according to another exemplary embodiment;

0046<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching by using an application, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0047<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14 and 15</figref> are diagrams illustrating a method of searching by using an application, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0048<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a flowchart of a method of searching according to a mode of a terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0049<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a diagram illustrating determining of a mode of a terminal according to user verification, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0050<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a diagram illustrating operations of a terminal when user verification has failed, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0051<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of searching according to a mode of a terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0052<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of editing settings in a terminal, according to another exemplary embodiment;

0053<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of acquiring at least one data type of search information from a plurality of data types, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0054<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22, 23, 24, and 25</figref> are diagrams illustrating operations of a terminal and screens of the terminal providing search results, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0055<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30</figref> are diagrams illustrating operations of a terminal searching with regard to a user's schedule, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0056<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 31 and 32</figref> are diagrams illustrating operations of transferring a search result to another terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0057<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38</figref> are diagrams illustrating operations of a terminal and screens of the terminal providing search results, according to an exemplary embodiment;

0058<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 39</figref> is a flowchart illustrating search processes performed by a terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

0059<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 40</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a terminal for searching, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0060Exemplary embodiments are described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

0061In the following description, like drawing reference numerals are used for like elements, even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the exemplary embodiments. However, it is apparent that the exemplary embodiments can be practiced without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail because they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.

0062It will be understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” used herein specify the presence of stated features or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or components. In addition, the terms such as “unit,” “-er (-or),” and “module” described in the specification refer to an element for performing at least one function or operation, and may be implemented in hardware, software, or the combination of hardware and software.

0063<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a conceptual diagram illustrating a terminal <b>1000</b> for searching according to an exemplary embodiment.

0064According to an exemplary embodiment, the terminal <b>1000</b> may receive search information via an input interface. The input interface of the terminal <b>1000</b> may be formed of a plurality of input interfaces. Each of the input interfaces may receive search information as a data type corresponding to each of the input interface.

0065According to an exemplary embodiment, referring to view <b>110</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may receive an audio signal. The terminal <b>1000</b> may include an audio sensor to detect voice of a user. For example, the audio sensor may be formed as a microphone. The terminal <b>1000</b> may detect an audio signal of the user, analyze the audio signal, and extract search information that corresponds to the audio signal.

0066According to another exemplary embodiment, referring to view <b>120</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may receive a signal from a touch input of the user. The terminal <b>1000</b> may include a touch sensor or a proximity sensor for detecting the touch input of the user. For example, the touch sensor may be a touch film, a touch sheet, or a touch pad. The terminal <b>1000</b> may receive a manipulation signal from the touch input of the user via various input tools. The terminal <b>1000</b> may receive the manipulation signal via a hand of the user, a physical tool, or a stylus pen.

0067The terminal <b>1000</b> may detect a touch input, analyze the touch input, and perform an operation that corresponds to the touch input. Also, the terminal <b>1000</b> may output search information that corresponds to a detected touch signal on a display.

0068According to another exemplary embodiment, referring to view <b>130</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may receive a text signal. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a text input interface on a display. The user may input a keyword via the text input interface.

0069According to an exemplary embodiment, the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search information and search based on the acquired search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using information stored in the terminal <b>1000</b> or by using information stored outside the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0070The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using data storage. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using information stored in the terminal <b>1000</b> (e.g., documents, images, schedules of the user, or history of search results stored in the terminal <b>1000</b>), an application installed in the terminal <b>1000</b>, or a server that stores a search engine and data. In this case, the terminal <b>1000</b> may be controlled such that a plurality of search engines, a plurality of applications, and a plurality of servers are searched by using search information that is input only once.

0071The application installed in the terminal <b>1000</b> may be distributed via an application store or an application market.

0072The search engine is a software system configured to search for information on the World Wide Web and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers. The information may include web pages, images, videos, and other types of files.

0073The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using a search engine and an application or search by using a server. The server implemented in hardware may be configured in the same method as a web server, a web application server, or a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Server. Alternatively, the server implemented in software may include a program module programmed by using languages such as C, C++, Java, PHP, .Net, Python, or Ruby.

0074Alternatively, the server may be implemented by using a server program in a hardware server, the server program being provided by various operating systems, for example, DOS, Windows, Linux, UNIX, or Macintosh. Representatively, Website or Internet Information Server (IIS) used in the Windows environment and Apache, Nginx, or Light HTTP used in the UNIX environment may be used.

0075According to an exemplary embodiment, the terminal <b>1000</b> may receive search results from the storage in the terminal <b>1000</b>, the plurality of applications installed in the terminal <b>1000</b>, the plurality of search engines, and the plurality of servers. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide all or a portion of the received search results.

0076According to an exemplary embodiment, referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the user may set a keyword as “sneakers” and input an audio signal, a touch signal, and text. The terminal <b>1000</b> may receive a search result acquired by searching with the “sneakers” as the keyword. The terminal <b>1000</b> may receive search results from an “A search engine” <b>140</b> and a “B search engine” <b>150</b> and display the search results on a display. The terminal <b>1000</b> may simultaneously display search results acquired from different search engines on a single screen, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, or display the search results on different screens.

0077Although <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates that the terminal <b>1000</b> is a mobile terminal, the terminal <b>1000</b> is not limited thereto. The mobile terminal may be, but is not limited to, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet personal computer (PC), an electronic book (e-book) terminal device, a digital broadcast terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, an MP3 player, or a digital camera.

0078<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating the terminal <b>1000</b> for searching according to an exemplary embodiment.

0079The terminal <b>1000</b> may include a first input interface <b>210</b>, a second input interface <b>220</b>, a searcher <b>230</b>, and an output interface <b>240</b>. However, the illustrated components are not all essential. The terminal <b>1000</b> may include more or less components than those shown. Hereinafter, the components will be described in detail.

0080The first input interface <b>210</b> may acquire first data type search information. The second input interface <b>220</b> may acquire second data type search information. The second data type is different from the first data type. Data types may include at least one selected from text data, audio data, video data, and still image data.

0081The searcher <b>230</b> may identify whether search information is acquired by the first input interface <b>210</b> and the second input interface <b>220</b>. The searcher <b>230</b> acquires search start information from at least one input interface selected from the first input interface <b>210</b> and the second input interface <b>220</b>. When the search start information is acquired, the searcher <b>230</b> acquires search information according to the search start information. The search information is acquired based on information that is input via at least one input interface selected from the first and second input interfaces <b>210</b> and <b>220</b>. The information that is input via an input interface is configured as at least one selected from text data, audio data, video data, and still image data. For example, when audio data is input via a microphone, the searcher <b>230</b> may acquire the audio data, at it is, as search information, or analyze or process the audio data and acquire the analyzed or processed audio data as search information.

0082When the search start information instructs to acquire search information from the first input interface <b>210</b>, the searcher <b>230</b> may acquire the search information from the first input interface <b>210</b>. Alternatively, when the search start information instructs to acquire search information from the second input interface <b>220</b>, the searcher <b>230</b> may acquire the search information from the second input interface <b>220</b>.

0083The searcher <b>230</b> may acquire a search result found from data storage by using the acquired search information. The data storage may refer to data storage equipped in the terminal <b>1000</b> or data storage that is physically independent from the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0084The search result is obtained based on at least one selected from information stored in the terminal <b>1000</b>, information acquired from the plurality of applications, and information acquired from the plurality of search engines. The searcher <b>230</b> may provide the information stored in the terminal <b>1000</b>, the information acquired from the plurality of applications, and the information acquired from the plurality of search engines, as they are, as the search result. Alternatively, the searcher <b>230</b> may classify or process the information according to a method predetermined by the user, and may provide the classified or processed information as the search result.

0085The data storage equipped in the terminal <b>1000</b> may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, and a memory card.

0086The data storage that is physically independent from the terminal <b>1000</b> includes a server. Also, a search engine and a server used by an application when searching are included in the data storage.

0087The server may be connected to numerous anonymous clients (including the terminal <b>1000</b>) and/or other servers via a network. Accordingly, the server may refer to a computer system for receiving an operation execution request from a client or another server and deriving an operation result according to the operation execution request, or computer software (server program) installed for such a computer system.

0088Other than the server program described above, the server may be understood as a concept that includes a series of application programs being operated on the server, and, in some cases, various internal or external databases.

0089The searcher <b>230</b> may acquire the search result by using an application that corresponds to a data type of the search information. For example, when the data type of the search information is audio data, the searcher <b>230</b> may acquire the search result by using a search application that detects audio data. As another example, when the data type of the search information is text data, the searcher <b>230</b> may acquire the search result by using a search application that detects text data.

0090The searcher <b>230</b> may convert the search information to search information having a data type different from the data type of the search information. The searcher <b>230</b> may acquire the search result by using an application that corresponds to the converted data type of the search information. For example, when the data type of the search information is audio data, the searcher <b>230</b> may convert the audio data to text data, and transmit the search information to an application corresponding to the text data. The searcher <b>230</b> may convert the audio data to the text data by applying Speech-To-Text (STT) to the audio data.

0091The output interface <b>240</b> may provide the search result. The output interface <b>240</b> may receive search results from the plurality of search engines or plurality of applications, and provide the search results by using various arrangement methods. For example, the output interface <b>240</b> may provide the search result according to a search result history or criteria predetermined by the user.

0092The output interface <b>240</b> may provide the search result in various ways. For example, the output interface <b>240</b> may display the search result by using a display apparatus such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). In this case, the search result may be provided as, but is not limited to, at least one format selected from text, a still image, and a video. As another example, the output interface <b>240</b> may provide the search result by using audio.

0093The terminal <b>1000</b> may further include a communicator that receives the search result found by using the search information from the server.

0094The terminal <b>1000</b> may include a central processor unit (CPU) and control operations of the first input interface <b>210</b>, the second input interface <b>220</b>, the searcher <b>230</b>, the output interface <b>240</b>, and the communicator. The CPU may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or a combination of a general-use microprocessor and a memory device that stores programs executable in the microprocessor. The CPU may be implemented as other forms of hardware.

0095Hereinafter, various operations performed or applications executed by the terminal <b>1000</b> will be described. Even when a component is not specified from the first input interface <b>210</b>, the second input interface <b>220</b>, the searcher <b>230</b>, the output interface <b>240</b>, and the communicator, features that may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art may encompass exemplary embodiments. The scope of the exemplary embodiments is not limited by specific terms or physical/logical structures.

0096<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a search method of the terminal <b>1000</b>, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0097Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, in operation S<b>310</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> identifies whether search information is acquired from a first input interface and a second input interface.

0098In operation S<b>320</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> identifies whether the search information is acquired from at least one selected from the first input interface and the second input interface. When the search information is acquired from the first input interface and/or the second input interface, the terminal <b>1000</b> executes operation S<b>330</b>. When the search information is not acquired from the first input interface or the second input interface, the terminal <b>1000</b> executes operation S<b>310</b>. When search start information instructs to acquire search information from the first input interface, the terminal <b>1000</b> acquires the search information from the first input interface. Alternatively, when the search start information instructs to acquire search information from the second input interface, the terminal <b>1000</b> acquires the search information from the second input interface.

0099Data types of the search information may include, but is not limited to, at least one selected from text data, audio data, video data, and still image data.

0100In operation S<b>330</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> acquires a search result found from data storage by using the acquired search information.

0101The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire the search result by using an application corresponding to a data type of the search information.

0102The terminal <b>1000</b> may convert the search information to search information having a data type different from the data type of the search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire the search result by using an application that corresponds to the converted data type of the search information.

0103Also, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine at least one application by using at least one selected from a category of the search information and user information of the terminal <b>1000</b>, and may search by using the determined at least one application. The user information may include, but is not limited to, at least one selected from location information of the terminal <b>1000</b>, search time information, and application usage frequency information.

0104The terminal <b>1000</b> may determine data to be used for searching from data in the data storage based on a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b>, and may acquire a search result from the determined data. The mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> may include, but is not limited to, at least one selected from a user mode, a guest mode, a terminal lock mode, and a network use mode. When the mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> is the guest mode, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search public information and not search personal user information of the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0105In operation S<b>340</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> provides a search result. The terminal <b>1000</b> provides search results from the plurality of applications. For example, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the search result by using the application corresponding to the data type of the search information and the search result acquired by the application corresponding to the converted data type of the search information.

0106The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the search result based on information acquired from the plurality of applications, the plurality of search engines, and a memory device in the terminal <b>1000</b>. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the search result by using at least one selected from search result history user information, search result information of a user other than the user of the terminal <b>1000</b>, previously-used application information, user preference information of the terminal <b>1000</b>, and user schedule information of the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0107<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of editing settings in the terminal <b>1000</b>, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0108Referring to view <b>410</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> provides a settings screen. The user may use the settings screen to set search operations of the terminal <b>1000</b>. A settings menu <b>411</b> of the search operations of the terminal <b>1000</b> may include, but is not limited to, a “start search” option, a “search information” option, an “execute search” option, and a “search result” option. The “start search” is an operation performed before the user inputs the search information via the terminal <b>1000</b> and refers to a state in which the terminal <b>1000</b> may receive the search information. By setting the “start search” option, the terminal <b>1000</b> is set to a state capable of receiving the search information.

0109Referring to view <b>420</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, a submenu <b>421</b> of the “start search” option may include a “touch sensor” option, a “motion sensor” option, a “camera” option, a “microphone” option, a “button” option, and a “user situation settings” option. The user may set the terminal <b>1000</b> to start searching by selecting at least one option from the submenu <b>421</b>.

0110The user may set the terminal <b>1000</b> to start searching by selecting at least one from the “touch sensor” option, the “motion sensor” option, the “camera” option, the “microphone” option, the “button” option, and the “user situation settings.” When the “touch sensor” option is selected, the touch sensor may detect a touch signal of the user, and the terminal <b>1000</b> may be converted from a sleep mode to a search execution state. When the “motion sensor” option is selected, the motion sensor may detect a motion signal of the user, and the terminal <b>1000</b> may be converted from the sleep mode to the search execution state.

0111Furthermore, the terminal <b>1000</b> may be converted from the sleep mode to the search execution state when the “camera” option is selected and the camera operates, when the “microphone” option is selected and the microphone operates, or when the “button” option is selected and the button is pressed.

0112Also, when the user randomly sets a situation and the situation occurs, the terminal <b>1000</b> may be converted from the sleep mode to the search execution state.

0113<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of editing settings in the terminal <b>1000</b>, according to another exemplary embodiment.

0114Referring to view <b>510</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> provides a settings screen. The user may use the settings screen to set search operations of the terminal <b>1000</b>. The settings menu <b>411</b> of the search operations of the terminal <b>1000</b> may include the “start search” option, the “search information” option, the “execute search” option, and the “search result” option. The search information is information input by the user to search. The user may input a keyword or a search command via an input interface of the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0115Referring to view <b>520</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, a submenu <b>521</b> of the “search information” option may include, but is not limited to, an “input module” option, a “convert data type of search information” option, a “input user settings” option, a “multiple search information” option, and an “operations of plurality of input modules” option. The user may select at least one option from the submenu <b>521</b> and set the “search information” option.

0116The “input module” option is related to setting an input module of the terminal <b>1000</b> that receives search information. The input module may include a keypad, a camera, a microphone, and a touch pad. The user may use the keypad to input text. The user may use the camera to scan at least one selected from text, images, and codes (for example, a QR code). The user may record at least one selected from audio and a sound source by using the microphone. The user may input a touch signal by using the touch pad.

0117The “convert data type of search information” option is related to setting the terminal <b>1000</b> such that a data type of input search information is converted to another data type. The terminal <b>1000</b> may receive first data type search information and convert the first data type search information to second data type search information. As an example of data type conversion, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert audio data, which is received as search information, to text data. Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert text data that is received as search information to audio data. The data types of the search information include at least one selected from text data, audio data, video data, and still image data.

0118The “input user settings” option is related to setting the terminal <b>1000</b> such that the search information is received according to a method predetermined by the user. The user may predetermine an input that corresponds to a command or a keyword so that the terminal <b>1000</b> executes the command or searches corresponding to the keyword. For example, when the user inputs a predetermined pattern into an input interface, the terminal <b>1000</b> may execute a command (or a search operation) that corresponds to the predetermined pattern.

0119The “multiple search information” option relates to setting the terminal <b>1000</b> such that a plurality of pieces of search information are processed when the plurality of pieces of search information are input. For example, the user may set either to sequentially or non-sequentially search when a plurality of pieces of search information are input. For example, the user may set the terminal <b>1000</b> to simultaneously search the plurality of pieces of search information. The user may input the plurality of pieces of search information via a single input module or a plurality of input modules. The terminal <b>1000</b> may simultaneously search each piece of search information.

0120The “operations of plurality of input modules” option relates to setting a method of processing, when search information is input via a plurality of input modules, search information that is input to an input module among the plurality of input modules. For example, among first search information input via a first input module and second search information input via a second input module, the user may set the terminal <b>1000</b> to first search the first search information input via the first input module.

0121<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a diagram illustrating the terminal <b>1000</b> searching by acquiring audio data type search information, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0122The user may use audio to input a keyword. The terminal <b>1000</b> may detect a voice of the user and acquire search information. Based on audio data, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using an application or a search engine that corresponds to the audio data. For example, the user may say a keyword “sneakers” <b>601</b> via a microphone of the terminal <b>1000</b>. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search information “sneakers” <b>601</b> and search. In this case, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using an “A search engine,” a “B search engine,” and a “C application” that search by using audio data.

0123<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a diagram illustrating the terminal <b>1000</b> searching by acquiring text data type search information, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0124The user may input a keyword in text. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search information based on the text input by the user. Based on the text, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using an application or a search engine that corresponds to the text data. For example, the user may input a keyword “sneakers” <b>701</b> in text via a text input interface of the terminal <b>1000</b>. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search information “sneakers” <b>701</b> and search. In this case, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using a “D search engine,” a “B search engine,” and an “E application” that search by using text data.

0125<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a diagram illustrating the terminal <b>1000</b> searching by detecting location information, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0126The terminal <b>1000</b> may determine a search application or a search engine according to a situation of the user, and then search. For example, the terminal <b>1000</b> may detect location user information, and determine an application to search based on the location information.

0127In detail, the user may visit a cellular phone shop to buy a cellular phone (view <b>810</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>). The user may try to search for information about the cellular phone. In this case, the user may input a keyword related to the cellular phone to the terminal <b>1000</b>. The terminal <b>1000</b> may determine a location of the cellular phone shop identified by the terminal <b>1000</b> as the location user information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may determine at least one application for searching based on the location information and the keyword that is input by the user. The determined at least one application may be an application specialized for searching information about electronic goods. The terminal <b>1000</b> may more efficiently search by using an application specialized for searching electronic goods than by using a used application.

0128The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using the at least one application and provide a search result. The search result may be provided according to each application or results found in the applications may be combined and provided. For example, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a search result obtained from an “A search engine” <b>821</b> and a search result obtained from a “B search engine” <b>822</b> on a single screen.

0129<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processes of data type conversion, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0130As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, in operation S<b>910</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire first data type search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search start information from the first input interface. When the search start information is acquired, the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search information from the first input interface according to the search start information.

0131In operation S<b>920</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert the first data type search information to second data type search information. For example, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert at least one selected from audio data, video data, and still image data to text data. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using the text data.

0132<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a diagram illustrating processes of data type conversion, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0133As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the user may input search information by using various methods. Referring to view <b>1001</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the user may say “Gyeongbokgung.” The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire audio data type search information “Gyeongbokgung,” via the microphone. Referring to view <b>1002</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the user may capture an image or record a video of “Gyeongbokgung.” The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire image data type search information “Gyeongbokgung” by using at least one selected from information stored in the terminal <b>1000</b>, a search engine, and an application. Alternatively, referring to view <b>1003</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the user may write “Gyeongbokgung” by using a touch pen or the like on a touch pad. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire image data type search information “Gyeongbokgung” by using a touch sensor.

0134Referring to view <b>1004</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert the search information to search information having a data type different from the data type of the search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may convert first data type search information to second data type search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may convert audio data type search information to text data type search information. Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert image data type search information to text data type search information. Data types include, but are not limited to, text data, audio data, video data, and still image data.

0135For example, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert the audio data type search information “Gyeongbokgung” and the image data type search information “Gyeongbokgung” to text data type search information “Gyeongbokgung.” The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using the text data type search information “Gyeongbokgung.”

0136<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a diagram illustrating the terminal <b>1000</b> searching according to a command, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0137The user may set the terminal <b>1000</b> to execute a command by only conducting an action (e.g., drawing a pattern, inputting a password, performing motions, or recognizing a fingerprint). For example, the user may set a command for “searching for a path from a current location to home” by using a pattern signal <b>1102</b>. When the user inputs the mountain pattern signal <b>1102</b> by using a touch pen or a finger to an input interface of the terminal <b>1000</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may be set to perform an operation of “searching for a path from a current location to home.”

0138Referring to view <b>1101</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, the user may input the mountain pattern signal <b>1102</b> by using a finger to touch a touch input interface of the terminal <b>1000</b>. Referring to view <b>1103</b> of the <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may detect the mountain pattern signal <b>1102</b> and display a search result <b>1104</b> of the path from the current location to home. In this case, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the search result <b>1104</b> by using at least one selected from a search engine, an application, or a search history stored in the terminal <b>1000</b>. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide respective search results of the search engine, the application, and the search history stored in the terminal <b>1000</b> on different screens, or may combine and provide the respective search results on a single screen.

0139<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of editing settings in the terminal <b>1000</b>, according to another exemplary embodiment.

0140Referring to view <b>1201</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> provides a settings screen. The user may use the settings screen to set search operations of the terminal <b>1000</b>. The settings menu <b>411</b> of the search operations of the terminal <b>1000</b> may include the “start search” option, the “search information” option, the “execute search” option, and the “search result” option. The “execute search” option is for setting details used when terminal <b>1000</b> searches by using the acquired search information.

0141Referring to view <b>1202</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, a submenu <b>1203</b> of the “execute search” option may include, but is not limited to, a “search object” option, a “search application/search engine selecting method” option, and a “search range” option. The user may set the “execute search” option by selecting at least one option from the submenu <b>1203</b>.

0142The “search object” option is related to setting where to search or use what to search. The search object may include information in the terminal <b>1000</b>, an application installed in the terminal <b>1000</b>, a search engine installed in the terminal <b>1000</b>, and an external storage device.

0143The “search application/search engine selecting method” option is related to setting a method of selecting a search application or a search engine for searching. The “search application/search engine selecting method” option may include, but is not limited to, a method of setting an application or a search engine appropriate for a data type of search information, a method of converting a data type of search information and setting an application or a search engine appropriate for the converted data type, a method of setting an application or a search engine related to search information, a method of setting an application or a search engine based on a situation of the user (e.g., a location of the user, or a search time used by the user), a method of setting an application or a search engine according to usage frequency of the user, and a method of setting an application or a search engine based on a search history of another user.

0144The “search range” option is related to setting a search range when searching. The “search range” option may include, but is not limited to, personal information, whether or not to search, a network usage range, a search exclusion range, and a search range according to a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0145<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching by using an application, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0146As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, in operation S<b>1310</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> acquires search start information from at least one input interface from a plurality of input interfaces, and may acquire search information according to the acquired search start information.

0147In operation S<b>1320</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine an application by using a category of the search information or user information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using the determined application and the search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a search result obtained from the application.

0148For example, when the acquired search information indicates “clothes,” the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine an application for searching “clothes” in detail, and search for “clothes” by using the determined application. Alternatively, when the search information indicates “restaurants,” the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine an application or a search engine for recommending “restaurants,” and search for “restaurants” by using the determined application. In this case, the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search results from a plurality of applications. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the search results provided by the plurality of applications such that each search result is distinguishable, or combine and provide the search results.

0149As another example, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine an application based on a usage frequency of an application used by the user. The user may use a map application to search for directions or locations. When there is a record indicating that the user has used an “A” map application 10 times and a “B” map application 3 times, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine the “A” map application has an application to search first. Also, when the terminal <b>1000</b> displays search results by using the “A” map application and the “B” map application, a search result obtained by the “A” map application may be displayed first on the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0150<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14 and 15</figref> are diagrams illustrating a method of searching by using an application, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0151The user may input search information via any one input interface selected from a plurality of input interfaces of the terminal <b>1000</b>. Referring to view <b>1401</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, the user uses audio to input search information, and the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire audio data of the user via a microphone. When the user says “where is a good place for tonight's date,” the terminal <b>1000</b> acquires audio data via the microphone. In this case, the terminal <b>1000</b> may extract words such as “tonight,” “date,” and “where” based on the audio data and acquire search information “recommend date place for tonight.” Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert audio data “recommend date place for tonight” to text data and acquire the search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may extract words such as “tonight,” “date,” and “where” based on the text data and acquire the search information “recommend date place for tonight.”

0152Referring to view <b>1402</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine an application or a search engine by using at least one selected from a category of the search information and user information. For example, because the search information acquired by the terminal <b>1000</b> is “recommend date place for tonight,” a restaurant review application may be used to search for a good restaurant for tonight's dinner. Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using a date recommendation application to recommend a date course for tonight's dinner. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using a schedule application to identify whether a user schedule overlaps tonight's date. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using a location information application to provide a date place based on a location of the user. Applications that may be used to search for “recommend date place for tonight” are not limited to those described above.

0153Referring to view <b>1501</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using a restaurant application, a date recommendation application, a schedule application, and a location information application. As shown in view <b>1501</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using 4 restaurant applications, 5 date recommendation applications, 1 schedule application, and 2 location information applications.

0154The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using all applications provided in each category, or may search by using an application selected by the user. For example, referring to view <b>1502</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search by receiving an input of selecting at least one from the 4 restaurant applications.

0155<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a flowchart of a method of searching according to a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b>, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0156As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>, in operation S<b>1610</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> identifies a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b>. The mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> may include, but is not limited to, at least one selected from a user mode, a guest mode, a terminal lock mode, and a network use mode. The user mode indicates that the user searches the terminal <b>1000</b> by oneself. The guest mode indicates that another user searches the terminal <b>1000</b>. The terminal lock mode indicates searching the terminal <b>1000</b> in a locked state. The network use mode indicates searching according to a network set by the user.

0157In operation <b>1620</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> sets a search engine according to the mode of the terminal <b>1000</b>. In the user mode, the terminal <b>1000</b> may set a search engine without a limitation of a search range or a search object. In the guest mode, the terminal <b>1000</b> may set a search engine within a limited range, unlike when the user searches. For example, the terminal <b>1000</b> may set search engines such that charged search engines are excluded and only free search engines searched. In the terminal lock mode, since the terminal <b>1000</b> may not be able to provide all search results in a locked state, the terminal <b>1000</b> may set a search engine within a search engine range that is preset by the user. In the network use mode, the terminal <b>1000</b> may set a search engine that may search by using not only information in the terminal <b>1000</b> but also a network.

0158<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a diagram illustrating determining of a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> according to user verification, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0159The terminal <b>1000</b> may determine a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> according to whether the user is verified or not. User verification methods may include, but are not limited to, a method <b>1701</b> of receiving identification in the form of numbers, a method <b>1702</b> of receiving identification in the form of patterns, a fingerprint recognition method <b>1703</b>, and a face recognition method <b>1704</b>. According to the fingerprint recognition method <b>1703</b>, user verification may be performed when the user puts a finger on a location of the terminal <b>1000</b> for recognizing a fingerprint. According to the face recognition method <b>1704</b>, user verification may be performed when the user locates the face on a screen provided on the terminal <b>1000</b>. According to a user verification result, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine between the user mode and the guest mode.

0160<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a diagram illustrating operations of the terminal <b>1000</b> when user verification has failed, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0161As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>, when the user verification has failed, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a warning message window. As illustrated in view <b>1810</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine that a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> is not the user mode and display a message window showing “commercial search engine or commercial application may not be used.” Alternatively, as shown in view <b>1820</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine that the mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> is not the user mode, and display a message window showing “search is not allowed due to data use restriction.”

0162<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of searching according to a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b>, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0163As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>, the user may say a phrase <b>1901</b> “movie schedule for this Friday” to search for a movie schedule. Then, the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire audio data type search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search based on the acquired search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search differently according to a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0164Referring to view <b>1910</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>, when the mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> is the user mode, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search based on the user information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search the phrase <b>1901</b> “movie schedule for this Friday” by using a plurality of applications. The terminal <b>1000</b> may separately display a search result provided by an “A application” and a search result provided by a “B application.” Also, the terminal <b>1000</b> may display schedule information of “this Friday” with regard to a user schedule among the user information. The user may conveniently purchase a movie ticket in advance based on the provided search results.

0165Referring to view <b>1920</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>, when the mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> is the guest mode, the terminal <b>1000</b> may display search results provided by the plurality of applications without regarding the user information.

0166<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of editing settings in the terminal <b>1000</b>, according to another exemplary embodiment.

0167Referring to view <b>2010</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> provides a settings screen. The user may use the settings screen to set search operations. The settings menu <b>411</b> of the search operations of the terminal <b>1000</b> may include the “start search” option, the “search information” option, the “execute search” option, and the “search result” option. The “search result” option is for setting how the terminal <b>1000</b> will provide a search result acquired from information stored in the terminal <b>1000</b>, a search result acquired from a plurality of applications, and a search result acquired from a plurality of search engines.

0168Referring to view <b>2020</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>, a submenu <b>2021</b> of the “search result” option may include, but is not limited to, a “priority” option, a “screen configuration” option, and an “output method” option. The user may set the “search result” option by selecting at least one option from the submenu <b>2021</b>.

0169The “priority” option is related to setting a priority between the information stored in the terminal <b>1000</b>, the plurality of applications, and the plurality of search engines. The priority may be set on searching units. Also, the priority may be set according to a method determined by the user. For example, when the priority is set on the searching units, a first application may be a first priority and a first search engine may be second priority. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a search result provided by the first application first, and provide a search result provided by the first search engine second. As another example, when the priority is set according to a method determined by the user, the priority may be set based on a usage frequency history of an application or a search engine, or based on an application or a search engine used for previous search information.

0170The “screen configuration” option is related to setting a screen configuration when displaying search results provided via the terminal <b>1000</b>. The search results may include the information stored in the terminal <b>1000</b>, search results provided by the plurality of applications, and search results provided by the plurality of search engines. The terminal <b>1000</b> may display the search results. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a list of applications or search engines providing the search results. When the user selects an application or a search engine from the list, the terminal <b>1000</b> may display a search result of the application or the search engine selected by the user. The terminal <b>1000</b> may distinguishably display the search results that are acquired from the plurality of applications and the plurality of search engines. In this case, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the search results according to a priority. The terminal <b>1000</b> may display the information stored in the terminal <b>1000</b>, the search results provided by the plurality of applications, and the search results provided by the plurality of search engines terminal <b>1000</b> on a single screen.

0171The “output method” option is related to setting a method of outputting a search result that is provided via the terminal <b>1000</b>. For example, when the user input audio data type search information, the terminal <b>1000</b> may set such that a search result is output as an audio data type. That is, the terminal <b>1000</b> may be set such that the search result is provided according to a data type of search information that is input by the user. As another example, even when the user inputs search information to the terminal <b>1000</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may be set such that a search result is provided via another terminal, not via <b>1000</b>.

0172<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is a diagram illustrating a method of acquiring at least one data type of search information from a plurality of data types, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0173The user may input a keyword via the terminal <b>1000</b> and the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search based on the acquired search information and provide a search result. The user may input the keyword to the terminal <b>1000</b> by using various methods. For example, the user may input the keyword by using at least one input method selected from an audio signal input method via a microphone, a text input method via a text input interface, a touch signal input method via a touch input interface provided in the terminal <b>1000</b>, an image input method via a camera, and a motion signal input method via a sensor unit for detecting motions.

0174The user may transmit an audio signal to the terminal <b>1000</b> via the microphone. The terminal <b>1000</b> may detect the audio signal of the user and acquire search information. Then, the terminal <b>1000</b> may detect that a date type of the search user information is an audio signal, and transmit the search information to a search engine that searches by using audio signals. After receiving the search information, the search engine searches based on the search information. The search engine may transmit a search result to the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0175The user may input text via the text unit provided in the terminal <b>1000</b>. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search information from the input text data. The terminal <b>1000</b> may transmit the search information to a search engine that searches by using text data.

0176Referring to view <b>2110</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref>, the user may transmit an audio signal “pro baseball Korean series” to the terminal <b>1000</b> via the microphone. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire “pro baseball Korean series” as search information. In this case, a date type of the search information is audio data. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using an application corresponding to the audio data type. Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert the audio data type to a text data type, and search by using an application corresponding to the text data type.

0177Referring to view <b>2120</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref>, the user may input “pro baseball Korean series” via the text input interface. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire text data “pro baseball Korean series” as search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using an application corresponding to the text data type. Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert the text data type to an audio data type, and search by using an application corresponding to the audio data type.

0178Referring to view <b>2130</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref>, the user may input a touch signal “pro baseball Korean series” via the touch input interface. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire a touch signal “pro baseball Korean series” as search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using an application corresponding to the touch signal type. Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert the touch signal type to a text data type, and search by using an application corresponding to the text data type.

0179<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22, 23, 24, and 25</figref> are diagrams illustrating operations of the terminal <b>1000</b> and screens of the terminal <b>1000</b> providing search results, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0180<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> is a screen of the terminal <b>1000</b> providing search results acquired from a plurality of search engines. As described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> searches having “pro baseball Korean series” set as the search information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using the plurality of search engines, and acquire a search result from each of the plurality of search engines. The terminal <b>1000</b> may display a search result acquired from an “A search engine” <b>2210</b> on a tab, and display a search result acquired from a “B search engine” <b>2220</b> on another tab. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the two tabs on a screen. In this case, the screen of the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a tab of a search result acquired from only a single search engine. The user may select a tab and see a search result of a search engine that corresponds to the selected tab. When the user selects the tab “A search engine” <b>2210</b>, the user may see a search result including a baseball schedule <b>2201</b>, a baseball ticket purchase <b>2202</b>, and baseball news <b>2203</b>.

0181<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> is another screen of the terminal <b>1000</b> providing the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines. The terminal <b>1000</b> may display a search result acquired from an “A search engine” <b>2310</b> on a tab, and display a search result acquired from a “B search engine” <b>2320</b> on another tab. The terminal <b>1000</b> may display the search results acquired from the two search engines on a single screen, but use two tabs so that the search results are distinguishable. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref>, the search result acquired from the “B search engine” <b>2320</b> includes baseball news, baseball highlights, and baseball photographs.

0182<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref> is another screen of the terminal <b>1000</b> providing the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using identical search information and identical search engines (the A search engine <b>2210</b> and the B search engine <b>2220</b>), but may differently display the search results according to users. For example, with regard to baseball search information, a first user may set the baseball schedule <b>2201</b> as a first priority and a second user may set baseball news <b>2401</b> as a first priority. The first and second users may input “pro baseball Korean series” as search information, and the terminal <b>1000</b> of each user may search. Because the first user sets the “baseball schedule” <b>2201</b> as the first priority, the terminal <b>1000</b> of the first user may set a screen to show a search result of the “baseball schedule” <b>2201</b> as the first priority. However, because the second user sets the “baseball news” <b>2401</b> as the first priority, the terminal <b>1000</b> of the second user may set a screen to show a search result of the “baseball news” <b>2401</b> as the first priority That is, even when an identical search result is provided from an identical search engine, the terminal <b>1000</b> of the first user may provide the search results in the order of the baseball schedule <b>2201</b>, the baseball ticket purchase <b>2202</b>, and the baseball news <b>2203</b>, whereas the terminal <b>1000</b> of the second user may provide the search results in the order of the baseball news <b>2401</b>, a baseball schedule <b>2402</b>, and a baseball ticket purchase <b>2403</b>.

0183<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25</figref> is another screen of the terminal <b>1000</b> providing the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines. The terminal <b>1000</b> may display the search result from the “A search engine” <b>2210</b> on a tab, and display the search result acquired from the “B search engine” <b>2220</b> on another tab. The terminal <b>1000</b> may display two tabs on a screen. The user may set the terminal <b>1000</b> to provide the search result of the “B search engine” <b>2220</b> before the search result of the “A search engine” <b>2210</b>. That is, even when identical search results are provided via the terminal <b>1000</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the search results by setting the screen according to a priority set by the user.

0184<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30</figref> are diagrams illustrating operations of the terminal <b>1000</b> searching with regard to a user's schedule, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0185<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref> is a screen of the terminal <b>1000</b> providing search results acquired from a plurality of search engines. While providing a search result acquired from an “A search engine” and a search result acquired from a “B search engine,” the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide an entry field <b>2610</b> for the user to select with regard to a user schedule. The entry field <b>2610</b> may acquire an input when the user touches the entry field <b>2610</b>. Although the user schedule is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref>, the entry field <b>2610</b> for selecting user information may be provided so that user information other than the user schedule may be regarded. The user information may include personal user information that is stored in the terminal <b>1000</b> by the user. The user may identify the user schedule to purchase a baseball ticket. When an input of selecting the user schedule cannot be received for a time, the terminal <b>1000</b> may be set such that the entry field <b>2610</b> for selecting the user schedule disappears from the screen of the terminal <b>1000</b>, or, even when the input of selecting the user schedule is received, the input may be set as an invalid input.

0186<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref> shows a schedule <b>2710</b> of the user. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref>, a company dinner <b>2701</b> is held at 7 p.m. of November 6^th. Therefore, the company dinner <b>2701</b> overlaps a baseball game starting at 6:30 p.m. of November 6^th.

0187<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref> is a screen of the terminal <b>1000</b> providing the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines and user schedule information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide information of all user schedules with the search results. Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may select user schedule information based on the search results, and provide the selected user schedule information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may identify from the search results that baseball games are played at 6:30 p.m. on November 4^thand at 6:30 p.m. on November 6^th. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search the user schedule information based on the baseball game schedule. After searching the user schedule information, the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire information indicating that the user does not have a plan on November 4^thand information indicating that a company dinner is to be held at 7 p.m. on November 6^th. The terminal <b>1000</b> may compare the search results acquired from the search engines and the search results acquired from the user schedule, and extract user schedule information to be provided. The terminal <b>1000</b> may extract overlapping schedules from the user schedule information. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a message window <b>2810</b> showing “company dinner at 7 p.m. on November 6^th.”

0188Even when an input of selecting based on the search results provided by the terminal <b>1000</b> is not received from the user, the terminal <b>1000</b> may select user schedule information based on the search result and provide the selected user schedule information. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref>, even when the user does not click or touch 6:30 p.m. on November 6^th, the terminal <b>1000</b> may compare the baseball game schedule and the user schedule, and provide information of overlapping user schedules.

0189Alternatively, when an input of selecting a search result is received from the user, the terminal <b>1000</b> may select user schedule information based on the input from the user and provide the selected user schedule information. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref>, when the user clicks or touches 6:30 p.m. on November 6^th, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide information of a user schedule that overlaps the baseball game schedule.

0190<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref> is a diagram illustrating the terminal <b>1000</b> that provides the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines and the user schedule information. When a user schedule overlaps search results acquired from the plurality of search engines, the terminal <b>1000</b> may extract and provide an overlapping user schedule. In this case, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the overlapping user schedule via a message window as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref>, or provide it via an audio message <b>2910</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref>. When the user is unable to see the terminal <b>1000</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a user schedule that overlaps the search result via the audio message <b>2910</b>.

0191<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref> is a diagram illustrating the terminal <b>1000</b> that provides the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines and the user schedule information. Before providing the user schedule information, the terminal <b>1000</b> may perform a user verification process. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref>, the user verification process may be performed by receiving a password <b>3010</b>. Other than receiving the password, the user verification process may be performed by using at least one selected from a pattern input, a fingerprint input, and face recognition. When the user is verified, the terminal <b>1000</b> may identify whether a user schedule overlaps the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines, extract an overlapping user schedule, and provide the overlapping user schedule. When the user is not verified, the terminal <b>1000</b> may not provide the user schedule information, and only provide the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines.

0192<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 31 and 32</figref> are diagrams illustrating operations of transferring a search result to another terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0193Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search for another terminal to transfer the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines. The other terminal may be, but is not limited to, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet PC, an e-book terminal device, a digital broadcast terminal device, a PDA, a PMP, a navigation device, an MP3 player, or a digital camera.

0194The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a command window <b>3110</b> for searching a device on a layer that is the same as or different from a layer for providing the search results. When an input of searching for a device is received, the terminal <b>1000</b> may search for another terminal connected to the terminal <b>1000</b> via a network. Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may receive, from the user, an input of selecting another terminal to which the search results are transmitted.

0195When the input of searching for a device cannot be received for a time, the terminal <b>1000</b> may be set such that the command window <b>3110</b> disappears from the screen of the terminal <b>1000</b>, or, even when the input of searching for a device is received, set the input as an invalid input.

0196Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may transmit the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines to another terminal <b>3220</b> via a network <b>3210</b>. The network <b>3210</b> may be formed by using wired communication technology, or wireless communication technology, for example, Wi-Fi, home radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth, High Rate Wireless Personal Area Network (HR WPAN), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Low Rate (LR) WPAN, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394 (IEEE 1394), and ZigBee.

0197<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38</figref> are diagrams illustrating operations of the terminal <b>1000</b> and screens of the terminal <b>1000</b> providing search results, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0198<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33</figref> shows the terminal <b>1000</b> providing search results acquired from the plurality of search engines. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 33 and 22</figref> illustrate the terminal <b>1000</b> that provides a search result of “pro baseball Korean series” by using the “A search engine.” Although the same search information and the same search engine are used, screen configurations of the terminal <b>1000</b> are different. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33</figref>, unlike <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref>, a search result <b>3310</b> of “baseball ticket purchase” is deleted. The user may set the terminal <b>1000</b> in advance so that only a desired search result is displayed. Also, the user may set the terminal <b>1000</b> so that a predetermined range is excluded from a search range. For example, when the user sets the terminal <b>1000</b> so that the search result <b>3310</b> of “baseball ticket purchase” is excluded from the search range, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide search results without the search result <b>3310</b> of “baseball ticket purchase.”

0199<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 34</figref> is a diagram illustrating the terminal <b>1000</b> providing the search results acquired from the plurality of search engines by using a search history.

0200The user may transmit an audio signal <b>3410</b> “restaurants near Jamsil baseball stadium” to the terminal <b>1000</b> via a microphone. The terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire “restaurants near Jamsil baseball stadium” as search information. In this case, a data type of the search information is an audio data type. The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using an application corresponding to the audio data type. Alternatively, the terminal <b>1000</b> may convert the audio data type to a text data type, and search by using an application corresponding to the text data type.

0201The terminal <b>1000</b> may search by using search engines for recommending restaurants, i.e., an “A search engine” and a “B search engine.” The terminal <b>1000</b> may display a search result acquired from the “A search engine” on a tab, and display a search result acquired from the “B search engine” on another tab. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the search results acquired from the two search engines on a single screen, but use two tabs so that the search results are distinguishable.

0202Also, the terminal <b>1000</b> may additionally provide a search result by using a search history of the user. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 34</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a message window <b>3420</b> showing “open search history.” In response to the message window <b>3420</b>, the user may touch or use other methods to input a signal that approves the question on the message window <b>3420</b>.

0203<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 35</figref> illustrates the terminal <b>1000</b> that provides a search history and search results acquired from the plurality of search engines.

0204Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 35</figref>, restaurants provided by the “A search engine” include XX Samgyeopsal, RR Kalguksu, and VV Dakgalbi, and restaurants provided by the “B search engine” include GG Samgyetang and YY Shabu-shabu. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide restaurant information based on a search history <b>3510</b> of the user. Among restaurants in the search history <b>3510</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide information of restaurants other than the restaurants provided by the “A search engine” and the “B search engine.” The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide information of BB Kongnamul Gukbap.

0205<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 36</figref> illustrates the terminal <b>1000</b> that provides search results acquired from the plurality of search engines.

0206Referring to view <b>3610</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 36</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire a search result from each of the plurality of search engines. The terminal <b>1000</b> may separately provide a search result acquired from an “A search engine” <b>3611</b> and a search result acquired from a “B search engine” <b>3612</b>.

0207Referring to view <b>3620</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 36</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide a combined search result <b>3613</b> by combining the search result acquired from the “A search engine” <b>3611</b> and the search result acquired from the “B search engine” <b>3612</b>. In this case, a phrase <b>3614</b> “OO model sold 30% off” from the search result acquired from the “A search engine” <b>3611</b> and a phrase <b>3615</b> “OO model sold 30% off” from the search result acquired from the “B search engine” <b>3612</b> overlap. When the terminal <b>1000</b> provides the combined search result <b>3613</b>, only one of the overlapping search results may be provided as a search result <b>3616</b>.

0208<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 37</figref> is a diagram for illustrating search results acquired from the plurality of search engines with regard to search time information.

0209Referring to view <b>3710</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 37</figref>, when the user inputs “late night food” via a text input interface, the terminal <b>1000</b> may transmit text data to search engines that search by using text data (an “A search engine” <b>3701</b>, a “B search engine” <b>3702</b>, and a “C search engine” <b>3703</b>). The “A search engine” <b>3701</b>, the “B search engine” <b>3702</b>, and the “C search engine” <b>3703</b> may search by using a keyword “late night food,” and transmit search results to the terminal <b>1000</b>. Referring to view <b>3720</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 37</figref>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may reorganize the search results based on search time information into a combined search result <b>3704</b>. For example, when the user has searched by using the keyword “late night food” at 10 p.m., some restaurants may have closed before 10 p.m. The terminal <b>1000</b> may provide restaurants other than restaurants that have closed before 10 p.m. on the combined search result <b>3704</b>. However, business hours of restaurants have to be stored in an internal storage device of the terminal <b>1000</b> in advance.

0210<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 38</figref> is a diagram for outputting a search result to another terminal.

0211The terminal <b>1000</b> may transmit a search result to a terminal <b>3830</b> via a network <b>3820</b> so that the search result is provided in the terminal <b>3830</b>. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 38</figref>, when the user selects baseball highlights (<b>3810</b>), the user may set the terminal <b>1000</b> so that commands related to the baseball highlights are executed in the terminal <b>3830</b>.

0212<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 39</figref> is a flowchart illustrating search processes performed by a terminal <b>1000</b>, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0213Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 39</figref>, in operation S<b>3910</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may acquire search information from at least one input interface that is selected from a plurality of input interfaces. According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of input interfaces may include, but is not limited to, an input interface for receiving audio data, an input interface for receiving text data, an input interface for receiving image data, an input interface for receiving a touch signal, and an input interface for receiving motions.

0214In operation S<b>3920</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine at least one search engine or at least one application based on the acquired search information.

0215According to an exemplary embodiment, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine a search engine or an application for searching according to a data type of the acquired search information.

0216According to another exemplary embodiment, the terminal <b>1000</b> may determine a search engine or an application for searching by using a category of the search information or user information of the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0217In operation S<b>3930</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may transmit the search information to the determined search engine or the determined application.

0218In operation S<b>3940</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may receive a search result from the search engine or the application.

0219In operation S<b>3950</b>, the terminal <b>1000</b> may provide the received search result.

0220<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 40</figref> is a block diagram illustrating the terminal <b>1000</b> for searching, according to an exemplary embodiment.

0221User input data for controlling the terminal <b>1000</b> is received through an input interface <b>1100</b>. For example, the input interface <b>1100</b> may be, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad, a trackball, or a jog switch. When the input interface <b>1100</b> is a touch pad, the touch pad may include, for example, a capacitive type, a resistive type, an infrared beam type, a surface acoustic wave type, an integral strain gauge type, or a piezoelectric type.

0222An output interface <b>1200</b> may output an audio signal, a video signal, or a vibration signal. The output interface <b>1200</b> may include a display <b>1210</b>, an audio output interface <b>1220</b>, and a vibration motor <b>1230</b>. The output interface <b>1200</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 40</figref> may be the same as the output interface <b>240</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0223The display <b>1210</b> may include at least one selected from an LCD, a thin film transistor (TFT) LCD, an organic light-emitting device (OLED) display, a flexible display, a 3-dimensional (<b>3</b>D) display, an electrophoretic display. The terminal <b>1000</b> may include two or more displays <b>1210</b> according to the exemplary embodiments. The two or more displays <b>1210</b> may be disposed by using a hinge such that they face each other. The display <b>1210</b> may display, but is not limited to, a user interface as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>.

0224The audio output interface <b>1220</b> may output audio data received from a communicator <b>1500</b> or stored in a memory <b>1700</b>. Also, the audio output interface <b>1220</b> may output an audio signal (for example, voice call signal reception sound, message reception sound, alarm sound) related to functions performed in the terminal <b>1000</b>. The audio output interface <b>1220</b> may include a speaker or a buzzer.

0225The vibration motor <b>1230</b> may output a vibration signal. For example, the vibration motor <b>1230</b> may output a vibration signal corresponding to an output of audio data (for example, voice call signal reception sound, message reception sound, alarm sounds) or video data. Also, the vibration motor <b>1230</b> may output a vibration signal when a touch input is received via a touch screen.

0226A controller <b>1300</b> controls overall operations of the terminal <b>1000</b>. For example, the controller <b>1300</b> may control components of the terminal <b>1000</b> by executing a program stored in the memory <b>1700</b>. The controller <b>1300</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 40</figref> may be the same as the searcher <b>230</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0227The input interface <b>1100</b> may acquire first data type search information and second data type search information. The second data type is different from the first data type. The input interface <b>1100</b> may be formed of a plurality of input interfaces. The controller <b>1300</b> may identify whether search information is acquired from the input interface <b>1100</b>, and acquire a search result from data storage by using the acquired search information.

0228The controller <b>1300</b> may acquire search start information from at least one selected from a first input interface and a second input interface in the input interface <b>1100</b>, and when the search start information is acquired, the controller <b>1300</b> may acquire search information from the at least one selected from the first input interface and the second input interface in the input interface <b>1100</b> according to the search start information.

0229The controller <b>1300</b> may acquire a search result by using an application corresponding to a data type of the search information. The controller <b>1300</b> may convert the search information to search information having a data type different from the data type of the search information, and acquire a search result by using an application corresponding to the converted data type. The data type of the search information may include, but is not limited to, at least one selected from text data, audio data, video data, and still image data.

0230The controller <b>1300</b> may determine at least one application by using at least one selected from a category of the search information and user information of the terminal <b>1000</b>, and search by using the determined at least one application. The user information may include, but is not limited to, at least one selected from location information of the terminal <b>1000</b>, search time information, and application usage frequency information.

0231The controller <b>1300</b> may determine data to be used for searching from data in the data storage, based on a mode of the terminal <b>1000</b>, and may acquire a search result from the determined data. The mode of the terminal <b>1000</b> may include, but is not limited to, at least one selected from a user mode, a guest mode, a terminal lock mode, and a network use mode.

0232The controller <b>1300</b> may control the output interface <b>1200</b> so that the output interface <b>1200</b> provides a search result by using at least one selected from search result history information, search result information of a user other than the user of the terminal <b>1000</b>, previously-used application information, user preference information of the terminal <b>1000</b>, and user schedule information of the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0233A sensor <b>1400</b> may detect a state of the terminal <b>1000</b> or a state around the terminal <b>1000</b>, and transmit detected information to the controller <b>1300</b>. The sensor <b>1400</b> may include, but is not limited to, at least one selected from a magnetic sensor <b>1410</b>, an acceleration sensor <b>1420</b>, a temperature/humidity sensor <b>1430</b>, an infrared sensor <b>1440</b>, a gyroscope sensor <b>1450</b>, a position sensor (e.g., global positioning system (GPS)) <b>1460</b>, an atmospheric pressure sensor <b>1470</b>, a proximity sensor <b>1480</b>, and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor) <b>1490</b>. Because respective functions of the above-described sensors may be intuitively understood by one of ordinary skill in the art by their names, detailed descriptions of the above-described sensors will be omitted.

0234The communicator <b>1500</b> may include at least one component to enable communication between the terminal <b>1000</b> and an external device. For example, the communicator <b>1500</b> may include a short range wireless communicator <b>1510</b>, a mobile communicator <b>1520</b>, and a broadcast receiver <b>1530</b>.

0235The short range wireless communicator <b>1510</b> may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communicator, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communicator, a near field (NFC) or radio-frequency identification (RFID) communicator, a wireless local area network (WLAN) or Wi-Fi communicator, a ZigBee communicator, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communicator, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communicator, a ultra-wideband (UWB) communicator, and an Ant+ communicator.

0236The mobile communicator <b>1520</b> transmits or receives wireless signals to or from at least one selected from a base station, an external terminal, and a server, in a mobile communication network. The wireless signals may include data in any one of various formats according to transmission and reception of, for example, voice call signals, video call signals, and text and/or multimedia messages.

0237The broadcast receiver <b>1530</b> may receive a broadcast signal and/or broadcast related information from an external source via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include satellite channels and terrestrial channels. According to the exemplary embodiments, the terminal <b>1000</b> may not include the broadcast receiver <b>1530</b>.

0238An Audio/Video (A/V) input interface <b>1600</b> may receive an audio signal input or a video signal input. The A/V input interface <b>1600</b> may include a camera <b>1610</b> and a microphone <b>1620</b>. The camera <b>1610</b> may receive a still image or a frame of a video via an image sensor in a video call mode or a photography mode. An image captured by the image sensor may be processed by the controller <b>1300</b> or an additional image processor.

0239A frame processed in the camera <b>1610</b> may be stored in the memory <b>1700</b> or transmitted to an external device via the communicator <b>1500</b>. According to the exemplary embodiments, the terminal <b>1000</b> may include two or more cameras <b>1610</b>.

0240The microphone <b>1620</b> may receive an external audio signal and process the external audio signal as electric audio data. For example, the microphone <b>1620</b> may receive an audio signal from an external device or a speaker. The microphone <b>1620</b> may use various noise removing algorithms to remove noise created during a process of receiving the external audio signal.

0241The memory <b>1700</b> may store programs to be processed or controlled by the controller <b>1300</b> and data that is received by or transmitted from the terminal <b>1000</b>.

0242The memory <b>1700</b> may include at least one selected from a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., secure digital (SD) or an xD memory), a RAM, a static RAM (SRAM), a ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk.

0243The programs stored in the memory <b>1700</b> may be classified as a plurality of modules according to respective functions thereof. For example, the programs may be classified as a user interface (UI) module <b>1710</b>, a touch screen module <b>1720</b>, and a notification module <b>1730</b>.

0244For each application, the UI module <b>1710</b> may provide a UI or a graphic UI (GUI) connected to the terminal <b>1000</b>. The touch screen module <b>1720</b> may detect a touch gesture of the user on a touch screen, and transmit information of the touch gesture to the controller <b>1300</b>. According to exemplary embodiments, the touch screen module <b>1720</b> may detect and analyze touch codes. The touch screen module <b>1720</b> may be separately provided as a hardware that includes a controller.

0245Various sensors may be provided inside or nearby a touch screen to detect a touch or a proximity touch on the touch screen. An example of a sensor for detecting the touch on the touch screen includes a tactile sensor. The tactile sensor is a sensor that senses a contact of an object and has a touch sensitivity equivalent or higher to that of a human. The tactile sensor may detect various types of information, such as roughness of a contact surface, hardness of a contact object, and a temperature of a contact point.

0246Another example of the sensor for detecting the touch on the touch screen includes a proximity sensor.

0247The proximity sensor is a sensor that detects a presence of an object approaching or nearby a predetermined detection surface by using electromagnetic power or infrared rays without mechanical contact. An example of the proximity sensor includes a transmissive photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflective photoelectric sensor, a radio frequency oscillation proximity sensor, an electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. A touch gesture of the user includes tapping, touch and hold, double tapping, dragging, panning, flicking, drag and drop, and swiping.

0248The notification module <b>1730</b> may generate a signal for notifying an event in the terminal <b>1000</b>. Examples of the event in the terminal <b>1000</b> include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and schedule alarms. The notification module <b>1730</b> may output a notification signal as a video signal via the display <b>1210</b>, an audio signal via the audio output interface <b>1220</b>, or a vibration signal via the vibration motor <b>1230</b>.

0249In addition, the exemplary embodiments may also be implemented through computer-readable code and/or instructions on a medium, e.g., a computer-readable medium, to control at least one processing element to implement any above-described embodiments. The medium may correspond to any medium or media that may serve as a storage and/or perform transmission of the computer-readable code.

0250The computer-readable code may be recorded and/or transferred on a medium in a variety of ways, and examples of the medium include recording media, such as magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.) and optical recording media (e.g., compact disc read only memories (CD-ROMs) or digital versatile discs (DVDs)), and transmission media such as Internet transmission media. Thus, the medium may have a structure suitable for storing or carrying a signal or information, such as a device carrying a bitstream according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The medium may also be on a distributed network, so that the computer-readable code is stored and/or transferred on the medium and executed in a distributed fashion. Furthermore, the processing element may include a processor or a computer processor, and the processing element may be distributed and/or included in a single device.

0251The foregoing exemplary embodiments are examples and are not to be construed as limiting. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.