as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0244023 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Oct. 1, 2009
`
`Kim et al.
`
`US 20090244023A1
`
`(54) PORTABLE TERMINAL CAPABLE OF
`SENSING PROXIMITY TOUCH AND
`METHOD OF PROVIDING GRAPHIC USER
`Mar. 31, 2008=(KR) oo. 10-2008-0029904
`INTERFACE USING THE SAME
`May 16, 2008
`(KR) oe 10-2008-0045655
`Publication Classification
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(30)
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Jong Hwan Kim,Seoul (KR); Seon
`Hwi Cho, Seoul (KR)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`LEE, HONG, DEGERMAN, KANG & WAIMEY
`660 S. FIGUEROA STREET,Suite 2300
`LOS ANGELES, CA 90017 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`LG ELECTRONICS INC.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/409,195
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 23, 2009
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GO06F 3/041
`(52) US. Ch. ieee cee ceseesesesenenecesceneneeeeees 345/173
`ABSTRACT
`
`(57)
`
`A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminalincludes
`a touch screen for generating input signals in response to a
`proximity touch or a direct touch of an input medium and
`displaying a first menu and a controller for determining the
`proximity touch of the input medium onthe touch screen for
`a predetermined period of time and displaying on the touch
`screen a second menu for providing a function associated
`with the first menu.
`
`100
`
`- 7
`
`POWER SUPPLY UNIT
`
`150
`
`DISPLAY MODULE
`
`AUDIO OUTPUT NODULE
`
`ALARM OUTPUT MODULE
`
`151
`
`152
`
`153
`
`180
`
`181
`1221MICROPHONE MODULE
`MULTIMEDIA
`REPRODUCTION
`MODULE
`
`130__TiseR INPUD UNIT
`
`140
`
`SENSING UNIT
`
`160
`
`INTERFACE UNIT
`
`170
`
`1
`
`APPLE-1025
`
`
`
`RADIO COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`RECEPTION MODULE
`
`NOBILE
`
`112
`
`113
`
`114
`
`115
`
`120
`
`A/V INPUT UNIT
`
`121
`
`CAMERA MODULE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`APPLE-1025
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 1 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 1
`
`112
`
`113
`
`14
`
`115—+]
`
`
`
`
`
`SHORT RANGE
`COMMUNICATION MODULE
`
` POSITION LOCATION
`
`NODULE
`
`
`
`
`RADIO COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`BROADCASTING
`RECEPTION MODULE
`
`
`
`MOBILE
`CONNUNICATION MODULE
`
`
`RADIO INTERNET MODULE
`
`
`
`120
`
`MICROPHONE MODULE
`
`USER INPUT UNIT
`
`SENSING UNIT
`
`121
`
`122
`
`130
`
`140
`
`190
`
`POWER SUPPLY UNIT
`
`DISPLAY MODULE
`
`AUDIO OUTPUT NODULE
`
`151
`
`152
`
`153
`
`ALARM QUTPUT MODULE 180
`
`181
`
`MULTINEDIA
`REPRODUCTION
`MODULE
`
`INTERFACE UNIT
`
`170
`
`160
`
`MEMORY
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 2 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 3 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 3
`
`100A-1
`
`100A~2
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 4 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG 4
`
`500
`
`
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 5 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 5
`
`510
`~
`
`N\
`
`501
`
`500
`
`420
`
`412-2
`
`440-1
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`450
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`Yee
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`(a
`DETECTION UNIT fe0
`
`151
`411
`440-2|TOUCH TIME
`MEASUREMENT UNIT
`
`CURRENT
`DETECTION UNIT
`
`CURRENT
`
`470
`
`480
`
`180
`
`DISTANCE
`DETECTION UNIT
`
`POSITION
`DETECTION UNIT
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 6 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 6
`
`440-1
`
`412-1
`
`
`
`DETECTION UNIT
`
`510
`
`440-3
`2} ur
`Ty
`
`
`
`fC
`440-2
`hy
`
`
`
`
`412-3
`
`412-4
`
`CURRENT
`DETECTION UNIT
`
`
`CURRENT
`TOUCH TINE
`
`DETECTION UNIT
`MEASUREMENT UNIT
`
`
`
`440-4
`470
`“AY DISTANCE
`DETECTION UNIT
`
`
`
`480
`
`
`‘POSITION
`DETECTION UNIT
`
`
`
`180
`
`“CONTROLLER
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 7 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 7a
`
`100
`
`==TIME
`
`03/12[ ED]
`
`500
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`MENU DIAL|MESSAGE|TELEPHONE
`
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`DIRECTORY
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 8 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 7b
`
`712
`
`
`
`
`
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`DIRECTORY NNWENT SETUP
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`710
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 9 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 7¢
`
`03/12[WED)
`
`100
` LONDON
`
`Au 02:00 500
`
`10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 10 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`
`
`11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 11 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 8
`
`o}|
`
`SOUND/
`
`
`CONTENTS
`
`712
`711
`710
`214
`713
`SCREEN
`TSEVICE | § VIBRATION |(=l|_
`Ww
`[S STORAGEBOX [Eijuecrimenis|
`1 4. CAMERA
`1 1.BELL SOUND
`_|!1. BACKGROUND
`1.GLOBAL ROANING|![1.BELL SOUND
`| SCREEN DESIGNING |
`||
`SELECTION
`STORAGE BOK
`2. ADDED SERVICE
`2.BELL SOUND
`lo BACKGROUND
`2BACKGROUND SCREEN! SHOOT|NG/GALLERY,
`INTERNET
`]3.MANNER MODE
`|!
`' 3. INAGE/VIDEO
`| VIDEO CONFERENCE
`i|
`SETUP
`3. CHARACTER SHAPE
`| ALBUM
`|
`ALBUN,
`.
`'|4-BELL/VIBRATION SIZEnaTion
`| 4.MUSIC STORAGE BOX} PHOTO EDITING,
`'
`i|
`SETUP
`14,
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`| CAMERA ENVIRONMENT
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`| | 6. CONTENTS SEARCHER!5anSELECTION
`
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`||
`:
`1
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`NOTICE
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`ho
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`DICTIONARY
`7.SUBWAY LINE MAP!
`B.CALCULATOR
`=|
`J
`9.CONVENIENCE
`|
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`12
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 12 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 9
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`
`13
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 13 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`100
`
`500
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`51l
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`603
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`
`{ZZ] 11:00AM
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`14
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1,2009 Sheet 14 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 10b
`
`15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 15 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 10c
`
`Fill
`
`{ZZ 11:00AM
`
`500
`
`16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 16 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 10d
`
`900
`
`
` MESSAGE| TELEPHONE
`
`DIRECTORY
`
`
`
`17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 17 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. ila
`
`Full
`
`(ZZ) 11:00AM
`
`DIAL
`
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`
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`oo
`
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`
`18
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1,2009 Sheet 18 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 11b
`
`500
`
`{ZZ] 11:00AM
`
`MESSAGE
`
`1.MESSAGE STORAGE BOX
`
`2.MESSAGE SEND
`
`3. e-mail |
`
`19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 19 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 11c
`
`DIAL Gs=
`
`a22|& (ese
`
`MENU
`
`20
`
`20
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 20 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 11d
`
`500
`
`MOST FREQUENT MESSAGE LIST
`
`Tom 010-0000-0000
`Daniel 011-0000-0000
`Lee 016-0000-0000
`Choi 017-0000-0000
`Jane 018-0000-0000
`
`750
`
`Yi
`
`(ZZ] 11:00AM
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`
`Kim 019-0000-0000
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 21 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 12a
`
`22
`
`22
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 22 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 12b
`
`500
`
`{7_7]
`
`11:00AM
`
`TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
`
`1. TELEPHONE NUMBER SEARCH
`
`4.GROUP MANAGEMENT
`
`2. TELEPHONE NUMBER ADDITION
`
`3.SPEED DIAL NUMBER MANAGEMENT
`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 23 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 12¢
`
`
`
`24
`
`24
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 24 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 12d
`
`500
`
`25
`
`25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 25 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 13a
`
`770-1
`
`770-3
`
`770-2
`
`y
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`774
`
`tend019-0000-0000 “}iZ
`
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`011-0000-0000
`
`26
`
`26
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 26 0f44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 13b
`
`900
`
`780
`
`1.REPLY
`2.DEFAULT-PROV i DED
`REPLY
`9. TRANSMISS1ON
`4. STORAGE
`5. TELEPHONE NUMBER
`EDIT
`6.DELET! ON
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`8.SPAM NUMBER
`
`{77] 11:00AM
`
`RECEIVED MESSAGES
`
`27
`
`27
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 27 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 13¢
`
`512
`
`28
`
`28
`
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 28 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 13d
`
`Fill
`
`(Z7] 11:00AM
`
`RECEIVED MESSAGES
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`
`010-0000-1 234
`
`29
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`29
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 29 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. l4a
`
`500
`
`511
`
`Full
`
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`801
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`30
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 30 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 14b
`
`Yul
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`
`31
`
`31
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 31 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 14c
`
`500
`
`512
`
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`
`32
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`32
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 32 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 14d
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`ZZ] 11:00AM
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`CAMERA ALBUM
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`33
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 33 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 15a
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`
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`(ZZ) 11:00AM
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`34
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 34 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 15b
`
`900
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`Yall
`
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`35
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 35 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 15c
`
`{ZZ] 11:00AM
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`CAMERA ALBUM
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`500
`
`36
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`36
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 36 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 15d
`
`500
`
`850
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`4.CONTENTS
`
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`
`37
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`37
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 37 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. l6a
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`[© eT
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`511
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 38 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 16b
`
`39
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`39
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 39 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
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`FIG. 16c
`
`{ZZ] 11:00AM
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`861
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 40 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 16d
`
`4, ATTRIBUTE
`
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`500
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`41
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 41 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 17a
`
`100
`
`512
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1,2009 Sheet 42 of 44
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`US 2009/0244023 Al
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`FIG. 17b
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`500
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`43
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 43 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`FIG. 18b
`
`Fil
`
`900
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 1, 2009 Sheet 44 of 44
`
`US 2009/0244023 Al
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`FIG. 18a
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`KO a
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`Full
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`
`
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`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`Oct. 1, 2009
`
`PORTABLE TERMINAL CAPABLE OF
`sequentially navigate through multiple menus. Asaresult,the
`SENSING PROXIMITY TOUCH AND
`desire to use the mobile terminal is decreased for those who
`METHOD OF PROVIDING GRAPHIC USER
`INTERFACE USING THE SAME
`
`are not familiar with the functional usage of the mobile ter-
`minal.
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`this application
`Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a),
`[0001]
`claimsthe benefit of earlierfiling date and rightof priority to
`Korean Application Numbers 10-2008-0029904, filed Mar.
`31, 2008 and 10-2008-0045655 filed May 16, 2008, the con-
`tents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in
`their entirety.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal,
`specifically to a mobile terminal capable of sensing a prox-
`imity touch and a methodfor providing graphicaluser inter-
`face via the mobile terminal.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] Typically, a mobile terminal has one or more func-
`tions such as performing voice and video communication,
`data input and output, and data storage.
`[0004] With such diverse functions, the mobile terminalis
`evolving into a comprehensive multimedia device that may
`support various operations, such as capturing images or vid-
`eos, outputting music or video files, allowing a user to play
`games, and receiving broadcast content.
`[0005]
`In order to embody complex functions, hardware
`and software implementations are being developed. For
`example, a userinterface environmentis provided to allow the
`userto search for and select various functions.
`
`[0006] Recently, mobile terminals have been equipped with
`a touchscreento provide varioususer interface environments.
`A user may now input various commandsorselect functions
`while watching a screen image embodiedon the display mod-
`ule.
`
`[0007] However, the mobile terminal using the conven-
`tional touch screen suffers from shortcomings in that various
`user interface environments may not be provided, because a
`user may only select a function related to a menu by touching
`the menu displayed on a screen of a mobile terminal.
`[0008]
`Furthermore, the number of menus andicons that
`maybe formed within one screen maybe limited due to size
`constraint of the touch screen. As a result, although many
`functions are provided via the conventional mobile terminal,
`a user must access multiple menus in order to execute a
`particular function.
`[0009]
`Specifically, each function provided in the conven-
`tional mobile terminal is associated with a menu or icon.
`Additionally, each menu or icon may include multiple minor
`classification menus. However, a user must sequentially navi-
`gate through multiple menulevels in order to execute a func-
`tion associated with a specific menu of the multi-staged
`menu. The sequential navigation of multiple menulevels is
`inconvenientfor the user of the mobile terminal.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Features and advantagesof the invention will be set
`[0012]
`forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
`apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice
`of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the
`invention will be realized and attained by the structure par-
`ticularly pointed out in the written description and claims
`hereof as well as the appended drawings.
`[0013]
`In accordance with an embodiment, a mobile termi-
`nal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a touch screen
`for generating input signals in response to a proximity touch
`or a direct touch of an input medium anddisplayinga first
`menu and a controller for determining the proximity touch of
`the input medium on the touch screen for a predetermined
`period of time and displaying on the touch screen a second
`menufor providing a function associated withthefirst menu.
`[0014] According to one feature the second menudisplays
`alist offrequently used functions froma plurality offunctions
`associated with the first menu. Additionally, the controller
`recognizes a direct touch of an object displayed in the second
`menuvia the input medium and executes a function associ-
`ated with the second menuin response to the direct touch of
`the object displayed in the second menu.
`[0015] According to another feature, the controller distin-
`guishes a direct touch ofthe first menu from a proximity touch
`of the first menu via the input medium, and displays distinct
`second menus on the touch screen in response to the direct
`touch operation or the proximity touch operation. Further-
`more, the controller recognizes the proximity touch of the
`input medium on the touch screen if the input medium is
`within a predetermined distance to the touch screen for a
`predeterminedperiodof time.
`[0016]
`In yet another feature, the controller displays the
`second menu ifthe proximity touch ofthe input medium is on
`the first menu displayed onthe touch screen. Additionally, the
`controller ceases displaying the second menu from the touch
`screen if the input medium has deviated from a touch recog-
`nition distance of the touch screen without directly touching
`the second menu via the input medium. Furthermore, the
`second menu comprises a text object or an icon object.
`[0017]
`Instill yet another feature, the first menu may be a
`web page and the second menu executes one of a user’s
`frequently used functions from a plurality of functions asso-
`ciated with the web page. Furthermore, the first menu is an
`icon displayed in the web browser, and the second menuis a
`list ofrecently-accessed web addresses. Additionally,thefirst
`menu may be an icon displayed in the web browser, and the
`second menu is a preview image for the function associated
`with the first menu.
`
`In accordance with another embodiment a method
`[0018]
`for providing graphic user interface using a mobile terminalis
`provided. The method includes sensing an input medium
`performing a proximity touch on a touch screen displaying a
`[0010] Additionally, many users only useafraction offunc-
`first menu, determining a time which the input medium per-
`tions provided by the mobile terminal and are further incon-
`formsthe proximity touch on the touch screen, and displaying
`venienced by having to sequentially navigate through menus
`on the touch screen a second menu for providing a function
`for functions thatare rarely used.
`associated with the first menu, if the determined proximity
`[0011] Thus, in order to execute a particular function of a
`touch time is greater or equal to a predetermined period of
`time.
`mobile terminal, the user is inconvenienced by having to
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`US 2009/0244023 Al
`
`Oct. 1, 2009
`
`Instill yet another embodiment, a mobile terminalis
`[0019]
`provided. The mobile terminal includes a touch screen for
`displaying a first menu and displaying a second menu in
`response to a proximity touch ofthe first menu via an input
`medium on the touch screen, a sensing unit for sensing the
`proximity touch on the touch screen anda direct touch of the
`touch screen, and a controller for determining the proximity
`touch of the first menu via an input medium on the touch
`screen for a predeterminedperiod of time and displaying the
`second menu on the touch screen, the second menufor pro-
`viding a function associated with the first menu, and deter-
`mining the direct touch ofthe first menu via an input medium
`on the touch screen for executing a function associated with
`the first menu.
`
`[0020] These and other embodiments will also become
`readily apparentto those skilled in the art from the following
`detailed description of the embodiments having reference to
`the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any
`particular embodimentdisclosed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0021] The above and other aspects, features, and advan-
`tages of the present invention will become more apparent
`upon consideration of the following description of preferred
`embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawing figures, wherein:
`[0022]
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal
`according to an embodimentofthe present invention.
`[0023]
`FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a portable
`according to an embodimentofthe present invention.
`[0024]
`FIG. 3 isa rear perspective view of a mobile termi-
`nal of FIG.2.
`
`FIG.4 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of
`[0025]
`a touch screen according to an embodimentofthe present
`invention.
`
`[0026] FIG.5 is aschematic view illustrating a principle for
`detecting a proximity distance of an input medium using the
`touch screen of FIG.4.
`
`FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a position
`[0027]
`detection principle ofan input medium using the touch screen
`of FIG.4.
`
`FIGS. 7a to 7d are schematic drawingsillustrating a
`[0028]
`method for providing a graphical user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentofthe present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing illustrating sub-
`[0029]
`menus that may be associated with various menus of the
`mobile terminal according to an embodimentof the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 9 is a schematic drawingillustrating a menu
`[0030]
`tree structure of the mobile terminal according to an embodi-
`mentof the present invention.
`[0031]
`FIGS. 10a to 10d are schematic drawingsillustrat-
`ing a method for providing a graphic user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentofthe present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIGS. 11a to 11d are schematic drawingsillustrat-
`[0032]
`ing a method for providing a graphic user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentofthe present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIGS. 12a to 12d are schematic drawingsillustrat-
`[0033]
`ing a method for providing a graphic user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentof the present inven-
`tion.
`FIGS. 13a to 13d are schematic drawingsillustrat-
`[0034]
`ing a method for providing a graphic user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentof the present inven-
`tion.
`FIGS. 14a to 14d are schematic drawingsillustrat-
`[0035]
`ing a method for providing a graphic user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentof the present inven-
`tion.
`FIGS. 15a to 15d are schematic drawingsillustrat-
`[0036]
`ing a method for providing a graphic user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentof the present inven-
`tion.
`FIGS. 16a to 16d are schematic drawingsillustrat-
`[0037]
`ing a method for providing a graphic user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentof the present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIGS. 17a@ and 17are schematic drawingsillustrat-
`[0038]
`ing a method for providing a graphic user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentof the present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIGS. 18a and 184 are schematic drawingsillustrat-
`[0039]
`ing a method for providing a graphic user interface using a
`mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity touch sensing
`function according to an embodimentof the present inven-
`tion.
`
`Features, elements, and aspects ofthe invention that
`[0040]
`are referenced by the same numerals in different figures rep-
`resent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or
`aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`In the following, numerousspecific details are set
`[0041]
`forth to provide a thorough description of various embodi-
`ments ofthe invention. Certain embodiments ofthe invention
`maybepracticed without these specific details or with some
`variations in detail. In some instances, certain features are
`described in less detail so as not to obscure other aspects of
`the invention. The level of detail associated with each of the
`
`elements or features should not be construed to qualify the
`29
`<6
`novelty or importance of one feature overthe others.
`[0042] As used herein, the terms “module,”
`“unit,’ and
`“part” are used for purposesoffacilitating disclosure. There-
`fore, significant meanings or roles should not be imputed to
`the terms themselves and it should be understood that the
`
`terms “module,” “unit,” and “part” may be used together or
`interchangeably.
`[0043] By way of non-limiting example only, the embodi-
`mentsare described with reference to the mobile terminal 100
`shown in FIG. 1. However, such teachings apply equally to
`mobile phones, smart phones, notebook computers, terminals
`for digital broadcasting, personal digital assistants (PDAs),
`portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigation devices for
`GPS, and other types of terminals. Also, FIG. 1 shows the
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`US 2009/0244023 Al
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`Oct. 1, 2009
`
`mobile terminal 100 having various components, but it should
`be understood that implementing all of the illustrated com-
`ponents is not a requirement. Greater or fewer components
`mayalternatively be implemented.
`[0044]
`<A mobile terminal capable of sensing a proximity
`touch and a methodfor providing graphicaluser interface will
`be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
`drawings.
`[0045] Referring to FIG.1, the mobile terminal according
`to the present disclosure will be described in view ofconsti-
`tutional elements according to a function thereof.
`[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile terminal 100 may
`comprise a wireless communication unit 110, an audio/video
`(A/V)input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140,
`an output unit 150, memory 160, an interface unit 170, a
`controller 180, and a power supply unit 190. When the con-
`stituent elements are implementedin actual applications, two
`or more ofthe constituent elements may be combinedinto one
`constituent element or one constituent element may be
`divided into two or more constituent elements, if appropriate.
`[0047] The radio communication unit 110 may include a
`broadcasting reception module 111, amobile communication
`module 112, a radio (wireless) Internet module 113, a short-
`range communication module 114 and a GPS module 115.
`[0048] A broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broad-
`cast signal and broadcast associated information from an
`external broadcast managing entity via a broadcast channel.
`The broadcast channel may includea satellite channel or a
`terrestrial channel. The broadcast managing entity may be a
`system which transmits a broadcast signal or broadcast asso-
`ciated information.
`
`[0049] Examples of broadcast associated information
`include information associated with a broadcast channel, a
`broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. For
`example, broadcast associated information may include an
`electronic program guide (EPG)of digital multimedia broad-
`casting (DMB)or an electronic service guide (ESG) of a
`digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H).
`[0050] The broadcast signal may be implemented as a TV
`broadcast signal, a radio broadcastsignal, or a data broadcast
`signal. The broadcast signal may further include a broadcast
`signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal. For
`example, the broadcasting signal may be received via the
`mobile communication module 112.
`
`[0051] The broadcast receiving module 111 may receive
`broadcast signals transmitted from various types ofbroadcast
`systems. By nonlimiting example, such broadcasting systems
`include digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-
`T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digi-
`tal video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), the data broadcasting
`system known as media forward link only (MediaFLO®), and
`integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (SDB-T).
`The broadcast receiving module may also receive multicast
`signals. Data received by the broadcast receiving module 111
`maybestored in a suitable device, such as a memory 160.
`[0052] The mobile communication module 112 transmits
`and receives wireless signals to and from one or more network
`entities, such as a base station or a Node-B. The wireless
`signals may represent audio, video, multimedia, control sig-
`naling, or data.
`[0053] The wireless Internet module 113 provides Internet
`access for the terminal. The wireless Internet module 113
`may be internally or externally coupled to the terminal 100.
`Suitable technologies for wireless Internet may include, but
`
`are not limited to, WLAN (Wireless LAN)(Wi-Fi), Wibro
`(Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for
`Microwave Access), and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink
`Packet Access). The wireless Internet module can be replaced
`with a wired Internet module in non-mobile terminals. The
`wireless Internet module 113 and wired Internet module may
`be commonlyreferred to as an Internet module.
`[0054] The short-range communication module 114 facili-
`tates short-range communications. Suitable technologies for
`implementing this module include radio frequency identifi-
`cation (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wide-
`band (UWB), as well as the networking technologies com-
`monly referred to as Bluetooth™ and ZigBee™.
`[0055] The position-location module 115 identifies and
`obtains the location ofthe terminal 100. The position-location
`module 115 may be implemented using global positioning
`system (GPS) components which cooperate with associated
`satellites and network components.
`[0056] The audio/video (A/V) input unit 120 provides
`audio or video signal input to the terminal 100. The A/V input
`unit 120 may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122.
`The camera 121 receives and processes image framesofstill
`pictures or video.
`[0057] The microphone 122 receives an external audio sig-
`nal while the portable device is in a particular mode, such as
`a phone call mode, a recording mode, or a voice recognition
`mode. The audio signal is processed and converted into digi-
`tal data. The terminal 100 and A/V input unit 120 may include
`assorted noise removing algorithms to remove noise gener-
`ated in the course of receiving the external audio signal.
`[0058] Data generated by the A/V input unit 120 may be
`stored in the memory 160, utilized by the output unit 150, or
`transmitted via one or more modules of the communication
`
`unit 110. The terminal 100 may include two or more micro-
`phones and cameras.
`[0059] The user input unit 130 generates input data in
`responseto user manipulation of an associated input device or
`devices. Examples of such devices include a keypad, a dome
`switch, a touchpad, a jog wheel, and a jog switch.
`[0060] The sensing unit 140 provides status measurements
`for various aspects of the terminal 100. For example, the
`sensing unit may detect an open and closedstate of the ter-
`minal 100, relative positioning ofcomponents ofthe terminal,
`a changeofposition of the terminal, a changeof position of a
`component of the terminal, a presence or absence of user
`contact with the terminal, orientation of the terminal, or
`acceleration or deceleration of the terminal. The sensing unit
`140 mayalso sense the presence or absence of power pro-
`vided by the power supply 190 and the presence or absence of
`a connection between the interface unit 170 and an external
`device.
`
`Theinterface unit 170 may be implementedto con-
`[0061]
`nect the terminal with an external device. External devices
`
`include wired or wireless headphones, external chargers,
`powersupplies, storage devices configured to store data, or
`microphones. Theinterface unit 170 may be configured using
`a wired and wireless data port, audio input/output (I/O) ports,
`or video (I/O) ports. The interface unit 170 mayalso include
`acard socket for connecting various cards, such as amemory
`card, a subscriber identity module (SIM)card, a useridentity
`module (UIM) card, or a replaceable user identity module
`(RUIM)card.
`[0062] The output unit 150 outputs information associated
`with the terminal 100. The display 151 is typically imple-
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`US 2009/0244023 Al
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`Oct. 1, 2009
`
`mented to display information associated with the terminal
`100. For example, the display 151 may provide a graphical
`user interface which includes information associated with a
`phonecall if the terminal is operating in a phone call mode.
`The display 151 may display images which are associated
`with various modes, such as a video call mode or a photo-
`graphing mode.
`[0063] Thedisplay 151 may be configured as a touch screen
`working in cooperation with the user input unit 130, in one
`embodiment of the present invention. This configuration
`allows the display 151 to function both as an output device
`and an input device.
`[0064] The display 151 may be implemented using known
`display technologies such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a
`thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an
`organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), a flexible dis-
`play, or a three-dimensional display. The terminal 100 may
`include one or more of such displays. An example of a two-
`display embodimentis one in which one display 151 is con-
`figured as an internal display which is viewable when the
`terminal is in an opened position and a second display 151
`configured as an external display which is viewable in both
`the openedandclosedpositions.
`[0065]
`FIG. 1 further showsthe output unit 150 having an
`audio output module 152. The audio output module 152 may
`be implemented using one or more speakers, buzzers, or other
`audio p