(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0109276 A1
`Kim et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`May 17, 2007
`
`US 20070109276A1
`
`(54) METHOD FOR ALLOCATING/ARRANGING
`KEYS ON TOUCH-SCREEN, AND MOBILE
`TERMINAL FOR USE OF THE SAME
`(75) Inventors: Tae Hun Kim, Incheon-si (KR); Jee
`Young Cheon, Seoul (KR); Yeon Woo
`Park, Seoul (KR); Sang Hyuck Lee,
`Seoul (KR)
`Correspondence Address:
`LEE, HONG, DEGERMAN, KANG &
`SCHMADEKA
`801 S. FGUEROASTREET
`12TH FLOOR
`LOS ANGELES, CA 90017 (US)
`(73) Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
`(21) Appl. No.:
`11/561,272
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 17, 2006
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Nov. 17, 2005 (KR)............................ 10-2005-O110381
`Dec. 29, 2005 (KR)............................ 10-2005-O134095
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G09G 5/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 345/173
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method for allocating/arranging keys on a touch-screen
`and a mobile terminal for the same are disclosed. The
`method for allocating at least one key on a touch-screen
`includes establishing a plurality of sensing Zones on the
`touch-screen, wherein sizes of the plurality of sensing Zones
`change in sequential order according to a key-arrangement
`direction, and allocating the at least one key to at least one
`of the plurality of sensing Zones.
`
`
`
`
`
`sensing-Zone
`mode setup unit
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`110
`
`
`
`
`
`key designation
`unit
`
`frequency
`measurement unit
`
`rotation detection
`unit
`
`150
`
`160
`
`170
`
`140
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 1 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 1 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 1
`
`storage unit
`
`110
`
`
`
`
`
`key designation
`unit
`frequency
`measurement unit
`
`rotation detection
`unit
`
`150
`
`160
`
`170
`
`controller
`
`
`
`140
`
`
`
`120
`
`
`
`sensing-Zone
`mode setup unit
`
`t -O HC
`
`m
`
`3 -S2
`
`130
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`--r -e --e n
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 2 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 2 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Establish sensing-zone mode
`
`
`
`S210
`
`Establish sensing zone according to established
`sensing-zone mode
`
`S220
`
`Generate key designation signal
`
`
`
`
`
`S230
`
`Allocate key to sensing-zone according to key
`designation signal
`
`S240
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Measure key use frequency
`
`
`
`S310
`
`Establish sensing-zone Inode
`
`S320
`
`Establish sensing Zone according to established
`Sensing-Zone Inode
`
`S330
`
`Allocate key to sensing-Zone according to key
`use frequency
`
`S340
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 3 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 3 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Establish sensing-zone Inode
`
`Establish sensing Zone according to established
`sensing-Zone mode
`
`S410
`
`S420
`
`Detect rotation-degree and rotation-direction of
`touch-screen
`
`S430
`
`Change key-arrangement direction
`
`S440
`
`End
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 4 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 4 of 18
`FIG. 5A
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`
`
`51
`
`500
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 5 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 5 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 5B
`
`
`
`500
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 6 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 6 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 5C
`
`
`
`533
`
`500
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 7 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 7 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 5D
`
`
`
`541
`
`543
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 8 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 8 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`
`
`W9 "?INH
`
`y
`O
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 9 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 9 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`
`
`009
`
`
`
`ggg 939GI9
`
`=!==~~~===
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 10 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 10 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`
`
`q?Un 95 euo?s
`
`08),
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 11 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 11 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 8
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Establish arrangement structure
`
`
`
`S810
`
`Arrange several keys according to
`established arrangement structure
`
`Display arranged keys
`
`key-arrangemen
`change Signal
`Yes
`
`Change key arrangement
`
`S850
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 12 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 12 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`096S
`
`C
`
`C
`A)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 13 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 13 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Start
`
`Establish arrangement structure
`
`S1 OO
`
`Arrange several keys according to
`established arrangement structure
`
`Display arranged keys on Second
`touch-screen
`
`Display keys arranged according to
`predetermined arrangement structure
`on first touch-screen
`
`S1020
`
`S1030
`
`S1040
`
`Move specific key of first touchscreen
`screen to specific key of second
`touch-screen
`
`S1050
`
`Key re-allocation according to key
`movement,
`
`S1060
`
`End
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 14 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 14 of 18
`FIG. 11
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`
`
`Keypad decoration
`
`2, font change
`3. color change
`4, background change
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 15 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 15 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 12
`
`
`
`Yll X () ".
`Shape change
`
`1. matrix type
`2. two-side type
`3. three-side type
`4. four-side type
`
`12O1
`
`1203
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 16 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 16 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`FIG. 13
`
`
`
`Yill M D "R
`Current shape
`
`all M
`
`"
`
`(N.
`
`762
`
`762
`
`772
`
`772
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 17 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 17 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`
`
`Zll
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 18 of 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 17, 2007 Sheet 18 of 18
`
`US 2007/0109276 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 19 of 29
`
`

`

`US 2007/01 09276 A1
`
`May 17, 2007
`
`METHOD FOR ALLOCATING/ARRANGING KEYS
`ON TOUCH-SCREEN, AND MOBILE TERMINAL
`FOR USE OF THE SAME
`0001. This application claims the priority benefit of
`Korean Patent Applications Nos. 10-2005-01.10381, filed on
`Nov. 17, 2005 and 10-2005-0134095, filed on Dec. 29, 2005,
`which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
`herein.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002) 1. Field of the Invention
`0003. The present invention relates to a mobile terminal,
`and more particularly to a method for allocating/arranging
`keys on a touch-screen of a mobile terminal, and the mobile
`terminal for use of the same.
`0004 2. Discussion of the Related Art
`0005 Generally, a touch-screen is configured with a
`touch-panel on a general monitor Screen. By touching a
`displayed character or a specific location on the touch
`screen, a specific operation corresponding to the touch is
`executed with the aid of a Software program.
`0006 The touch-screen can be classified into a variety of
`touch-screens. For example, a capacitance-type touch
`screen, an infrared (IR)-type touch-screen, a resistance-type
`touch-screen, and an ultrasound-type touch-screen.
`0007. However, a plurality of sensing Zones, allocated to
`menus or functions, are displayed on the touch-screen. Here,
`the sensing Zones are areas on the touch-screen which can be
`recognized when touched by a user. Generally, the Surface
`area and area allocated to the sensing Zones (e.g., size of the
`sensing Zones) are equal to each other. Moreover, a size of
`the sensing Zone can be represented by a default size, which
`does not take into consideration the habitual- or usual
`keypad usages of the user.
`0008. With improvements in touch-screen technology,
`and more specifically, with providing the touch-screen fea
`ture to a mobile terminal, if the user touches a specific menu
`or a function displayed on the touch-screen of the mobile
`terminal, the user can easily make a desired selection from
`a plurality of menus or functions displayed on the touch
`screen of the mobile terminal. Moreover, the user can touch
`a specific key-button from several key-buttons displayed on
`the touch-screen to view the data corresponding to the
`touched selection.
`0009. In the conventional mobile terminal equipped with
`the touch-screen capability, the key-buttons displayed on the
`touch-screen are uniformly arranged according to a prede
`termined arrangement structure. As a result, the touch-screen
`does not consider needs or convenience of the user who
`desires to use the above-mentioned key-buttons.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0010. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
`method for allocating/arranging keys on a touch-screen and
`a mobile terminal for use of the same that substantially
`obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disad
`vantages of the related art.
`0.011) An object of the present invention is to provide a
`method for allocating keys on a touch-screen in various
`ways, and a mobile terminal for use of the same.
`
`0012 Another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a method for allowing a user to freely establish a
`plurality of sensing Zones to which several keys displayed
`on a touch-screen are allocated, and a mobile terminal for
`use of the same.
`0013 Yet another object of the present invention is to
`provide a method for allocating several keys to several
`sensing Zones having different size according to arrange
`ment direction, and a mobile terminal for use of the same.
`0014 Yet another object of the present invention is to
`provide a method for arranging several keys on a touch
`screen according to a user-desired arrangement structure,
`and a mobile terminal for use of the same.
`00.15
`Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
`invention will be set forth in part in the description which
`follows and in part will become apparent to those having
`ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following
`or may be learned from practice of the invention. The
`objectives and other advantages of the invention may be
`realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out
`in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
`appended drawings.
`0016 To achieve these objects and other advantages and
`in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embod
`ied and broadly described herein, a method for allocating at
`least one key on a touch-screen comprises establishing a
`plurality of sensing Zones on the touch-screen, wherein the
`plurality of sensing Zones which change sizes in sequential
`order according to a key-arrangement direction, and allo
`cating the at least one key to at least one of the plurality of
`sensing Zones.
`0017. In another aspect of the present invention, there is
`provided a method for arranging keys on a touch-screen
`comprising establishing an arrangement structure for arrang
`ing a plurality of keys on the touch-screen, arranging the
`keys on the touch-screen according to the established
`arrangement structure, and displaying the arranged keys.
`0018. In yet another aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a mobile terminal comprising a storage unit for
`storing data associated with sensing Zones, a controller for
`allocating at least one key to at least one sensing Zone from
`a plurality of sensing Zones, wherein the sensing Zones,
`having varying sizes, sequentially change according to a
`key-arrangement direction; and a touch-screen for display
`ing the at least one key allocated to the at least one sensing
`ZO.
`0019. In yet another aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a mobile terminal comprising a touch-screen, a
`storage unit for storing a plurality of arrangement structures
`for arranging a plurality of keys on the touch-screen, and a
`controller for establishing a arrangement structure from the
`stored arrangement structures, and controlling the touch
`screen to display the keys arranged according to the estab
`lished arrangement structure.
`0020. It is to be understood that both the foregoing
`general description and the following detailed description of
`the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are
`intended to provide further explanation of the invention as
`claimed.
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 20 of 29
`
`

`

`US 2007/01 09276 A1
`
`May 17, 2007
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0021. The accompanying drawings, which are included
`to provide a further understanding of the invention and are
`incorporated in and constitute a part of this application,
`illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with
`the description serve to explain the principle of the inven
`tion. In the drawings:
`0022 FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile
`terminal for allocating keys on a touch-screen according to
`the present invention;
`0023 FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`allocating keys on a touch-screen according to a first pre
`ferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0024 FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`allocating keys on a touch-screen according to a second
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0.025
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`allocating keys on a touch-screen according to a third
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0026 FIG. 5A shows the appearance of keys allocated to
`sensing Zones according to a first preferred embodiment of
`the present invention;
`0027 FIG. 5B shows the appearance of keys allocated to
`sensing Zones according to a second preferred embodiment
`of the present invention;
`0028 FIG. 5C shows the appearance of keys allocated to
`sensing Zones according to a third preferred embodiment of
`the present invention;
`0029 FIG. 5D shows the appearance of keys allocated to
`sensing Zones according to a fourth preferred embodiment of
`the present invention;
`0030 FIG. 6A shows the appearance of keys allocated to
`sensing Zones of a rotating touch-screen according to a first
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0031
`FIG. 6B shows the appearance of keys allocated to
`sensing Zones of a rotating touch-screen according to a
`second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0032 FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile
`terminal equipped with a touch-screen to which keys are
`arranged according to the present invention;
`0033 FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`arranging keys on a touch-screen according to a first pre
`ferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0034 FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`arranging keys on a touch-screen according to a second
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0035 FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`arranging keys on a touch-screen according to a third
`preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`0.036
`FIG. 11 exemplarily shows function menus asso
`ciated with key arrangement on a touch-screen according to
`the present invention;
`0037 FIG. 12 exemplarily shows a process for selecting
`an arrangement structure on a touch-screen according to the
`present invention;
`
`0038 FIG. 13 exemplarily shows a process for changing
`an arrangement structure on a touch-screen according to the
`present invention;
`0039 FIG. 14 exemplarily shows a process for changing
`key-font data displayed on a touch-screen according to the
`present invention; and
`0040 FIG. 15 exemplarily shows a process for establish
`ing a background image of key arrangement on a touch
`screen according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Reference will now be made in detail to the pre
`0041
`ferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of
`which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wher
`ever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
`throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
`0042 FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile
`terminal for allocating keys on a touch-screen according to
`the present invention.
`0043 Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal includes a
`storage unit 110, a sensing-Zone mode setup unit 120, a
`display 130, a controller 140, a key designation unit 150, a
`frequency measurement unit 160, and a rotation detection
`unit (also called a "rotation sensing unit”) 170. Moreover,
`the display 130 includes a touch-screen 132.
`0044) More specifically, the storage unit 110 stores data
`associated with sensing Zones (hereinafter referred to as
`“sensing-Zone associated data').
`0045. In this case, the sensing-Zone associated data indi
`cates not only a program required for establishing several
`sensing Zones on the touch-screen 132, but also data related
`to a key-arrangement direction and a size of sensing Zone
`based on each sensing-Zone mode.
`0046) The sensing-Zone mode setup unit 120 establishes
`a sensing-Zone mode for determining a size of each sensing
`Zone according to a key-arrangement direction.
`0047 For example, if a plurality of sensing-Zone modes,
`which can be established by the user, are displayed on the
`touch-screen 132, the user may select a desired sensing-Zone
`mode from the displayed plurality of sensing-Zone modes.
`0048. The sensing-zone mode setup unit 120 can sequen
`tially increase the size of each sensing Zone in either a
`horizontal key-arrangement direction or a vertical key
`arrangement direction according to the established sensing
`Zone mode. In this case, it should be noted that the key
`arrangement direction is not limited to the above-mentioned
`horizontal- or vertical-key-arrangement direction, and may
`include all the available directions
`0049. The display 130 displays a plurality of keys allo
`cated to the plurality of sensing Zones via the touch-screen
`132. Here, the controller 140 allocates at least one key to at
`least one sensing Zone from the plurality of sensing Zones
`whose size changes sequentially according to the key
`arrangement direction,
`0050 For example, while maintaining a general arrange
`ment structure of several key-buttons to which numerals,
`characters, and special characters (e.g., ii.) are allocated,
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 21 of 29
`
`

`

`US 2007/01 09276 A1
`
`May 17, 2007
`
`the controller 140 can allocate the key-buttons to the indi
`vidual sensing Zones, respectively. As such, the display 130
`allows the touch-screen 132 to display the key pad in which
`a variety of keys are arranged according to the general
`key-button arrangement structure.
`0051. The key designation unit 150 generates a key
`designation signal. Here, the controller 140 allocates a
`specific key to a specific sensing Zone from the sensing
`Zones available according to the generated key designation
`signal.
`0.052 The frequency measurement unit 160 measures or
`counts frequency of specific-key use. Here, the controller
`140 receives the use frequency of the specific key from the
`frequency measurement unit 160, and allocates a specific
`key having the highest use frequency to the largest sensing
`Zone upon receiving the use frequency of the specific key
`from the frequency measurement unit 160.
`0053) The rotation detection unit 170 detects the degree
`of rotation of the touch-screen 132 and the direction of the
`touch-screen's rotation. Here, the controller 140 changes the
`key-arrangement direction of the plurality of sensing Zones
`according to the detected rotation degree and the detected
`rotation direction. Here, the controller 140 maintains keys
`allocated to the individual sensing Zones.
`0054) A method for allocating keys on a touch-screen
`according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
`invention will hereinafter be described with reference to
`FIGS. 1 and 2.
`0055 FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`allocating keys on a touch-screen according to a first pre
`ferred embodiment of the present invention.
`0056. The sensing-zone mode setup unit 120 establishes
`a sensing-Zone mode for determining the size of individual
`sensing Zones from the plurality of sensing Zones according
`to a predetermined input signal (S210).
`0057. In this case, the sensing-Zone mode indicates a
`specific mode for sequentially changing the size(s) of the
`sensing Zones according to key-arrangement direction of the
`sensing Zones.
`0.058
`For example, step S210 may establish a specific
`sensing-Zone mode from several available sensing-Zone
`modes based on the selection of the user. Step S210 may set
`a default sensing-Zone mode, even if there is no input signal
`from the user, based on a default sensing Zone mode
`provided in the mobile terminal.
`0059. The controller 140 establishes a sensing Zone
`according to the established sensing-Zone mode (S220). For
`example, step S220 may configure a multiple sensing Zones
`whose sizes increase sequentially in a horizontal key-ar
`rangement direction according to the established sensing
`Zone mode. Here, the sizes of the sensing Zones located in
`the same column may be equal to each other.
`0060) Further, step S220 may establish a plurality of
`sensing Zones whose sizes increase sequentially in a vertical
`key-arrangement direction according to the established sens
`ing Zone mode. Here, the sizes of the sensing Zones located
`in the same row can be equal to each other.
`0061 Step S220 may establish a plurality of sensing
`Zones whose sizes increase sequentially in a diagonal key
`
`arrangement direction according to the established sensing
`Zone mode. Here, the sizes of the sensing Zones located in
`the same diagonal line from a plurality of diagonal lines
`perpendicular to the diagonal key-arrangement direction can
`be equal to each other.
`0062 Further, step S220 may establish a plurality of
`sensing Zones whose sizes increase sequentially in a key
`arrangement direction from both edge columns to the center
`column according to the established sensing Zone mode.
`Here, the sizes of the sensing Zones located in the same
`column can equal to each other.
`0063 Step S220 may establish a plurality of sensing
`Zones whose sizes increase sequentially in a key-arrange
`ment direction from the center column to both edge columns
`according to the established sensing Zone mode. Here, the
`sizes of the sensing Zones located in the same column can be
`equal to each other.
`0064 Step S220 may establish a plurality of sensing
`Zones whose sizes increase sequentially in a key-arrange
`ment direction from both edge rows to the center row
`according to the established sensing Zone mode. Here, the
`sizes of the sensing Zones located in the same row can be
`equal to each other.
`0065 Step S220 may establish a plurality of sensing
`Zones whose sizes increase sequentially in a key-arrange
`ment direction from the center row to both edge rows
`according to the established sensing Zone mode. Here, the
`size of the sensing Zones located in the same row can be
`equal to each other.
`0066. The key designation unit 150 generates a key
`designation signal (S230). The key designation signal indi
`cates a specific signal for allocating a specific key from the
`plurality of keys to a specific sensing Zone from the sensing
`Zones whose sizes are determined according to the estab
`lished sensing-Zone mode.
`0067 Step S230 may generate the key designation signal
`according to a user selection signal.
`0068 For example, step S230 may generate the key
`designation signal capable of designating a various keys
`(e.g., a message key, a menu-selection key, and an Internet
`execution key) in sequential order based on sensing Zones
`having a larger size according to the user selection signal.
`Further, the message key is allocated to the sensing Zone
`having the largest size, the menu-selection key is allocated
`to the sensing Zone having a smaller size, and the Internet
`execution key is allocated to the sensing Zone having the
`Smallest size.
`0069 Step S230 may generate the key designation signal
`according to a key designation reference pre-set or pro
`grammed in the mobile terminal.
`0070 For example, the key designation signal capable of
`designating at least one of the menu-selection key and the
`hot key at the sensing Zone having the largest size according
`to the key designation reference may be generated at Step
`S230. Here, the largest-size sensing Zone may be composed
`of one or more sensing Zones. Moreover, the key designation
`reference may be freely changed or set by the user in various
`ways.
`0071 Step S230 may be used to generate the key desig
`nation signal for assigning a specific key to which a default
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 22 of 29
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`US 2007/01 09276 A1
`
`May 17, 2007
`
`Zone having the largest-size sensing Zone is designated.
`Moreover, the specific key is a key which is expected to be
`most frequently used by the user.
`0072 Further, step S230 may be used to generate another
`key designation signal for designating the remaining keys to
`the remaining sensing Zones according to the order of the
`expected use frequency. The higher the expected use fre
`quency, the larger the size of the sensing Zone. The use
`frequency refers to how frequent or how often a user touches
`the sensing Zone or makes selection using the sensing Zone.
`0.073
`Step S230 maintains a general keypad arrangement
`structure. Further, a key designation signal capable of des
`ignating a plurality of key buttons at a plurality of sensing
`Zones may be generated at step S230. Here, the keypad may
`include a plurality of key buttons to which numerals, char
`acters, and special characters (*.ii) are allocated.
`0074 The controller 140 allocates a specific key to a
`specific sensing Zone from the sensing Zones according to
`the generated key designation signal (S240).
`0075. A method for allocating keys on a touch-screen
`according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
`invention will hereinafter be described with reference to
`FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method
`for allocating keys on a touch-screen according to a second
`preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`0.076
`Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the frequency mea
`surement unit 160 measures the use frequency of a specific
`key (S310). In other words, the frequency measurement unit
`160 counts the number of use frequencies of each key.
`0077. The frequency measurement unit 160 measures the
`use frequency of each key displayed on the touch-screen
`132, and/or measures the use frequency of the keys provided
`on the mobile terminal. Here, the key may be used to enter
`a command for executing a desired menu or function, or may
`be used to enter a desired character or number.
`0078 For example, the use frequency during a predeter
`mined period of time can be measured at step S310. Here,
`the predetermined period may be set by the user or may be
`pre-established or pre-programmed in the mobile terminal.
`0079 The sensing-zone mode setup unit 120 establishes
`a sensing-Zone mode for determining the size of individual
`sensing Zones (S320). Step S320 of FIG. 3 is equal to step
`S210 of FIG. 2, and as such, a detailed description of step
`S320 will herein be omitted for the convenience of descrip
`tion.
`0080. The controller 140 establishes the sensing Zone
`according to the established sensing-Zone mode (S330). Step
`S330 of FIG. 3 is equal to step S220 of FIG. 2, as such, a
`detailed description of step S330 will herein be omitted for
`the convenience of description.
`0081. The controller 140 receives information indicating
`the use frequency of individual keys from the frequency
`measurement unit 160. Moreover, the controller 140 allo
`cates the keys to the sensing Zones having different sizes
`according to the received use-frequency information.
`0082 Specifically, allocation of a specific key having the
`highest use frequency to the largest sensing Zone from the
`sensing Zones according to use frequency information takes
`place (S340).
`
`0083. For example, provided that the use—frequency
`information measured during the predetermined period is
`arranged in the following order—the message key->the
`phonebook key->and the MP3 key->step S340 sequentially
`allocates the message key to the sensing Zone having the
`largest size, allocates the phonebook key to the sensing Zone
`having a smaller size, and allocates the MP3 key to the
`sensing Zone having the smallest size. Further, step S340
`receives other use—frequency information of the remaining
`keys other than the three keys (i.e., the message key, the
`phonebook key, and the MP3 key), and allocates a larger
`sensing Zone to a key having higher use frequency infor
`mation. In other words, a higher use frequency corresponds
`to a larger sensing Zone.
`0084. A method for allocating keys on a touch-screen
`according to a third preferred embodiment of the present
`invention will hereinafter be described with reference to
`FIGS. 1 and 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for
`allocating keys on a touch-screen according to a third
`preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`0085. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the sensing-zone mode
`setup unit 120 establishes a sensing-Zone mode for deter
`mining the size of individual sensing Zones according to a
`predetermined input signal (S410).
`0086) Since step S410 of FIG. 4 is equal to step 52.10 of
`FIG. 2, a detailed description with respect to step S410 will
`herein be omitted for the convenience of description.
`0087. The controller 140 establishes the sensing Zone
`according to the established sensing-Zone mode (S420).
`0088 Since step S420 of FIG. 4 is equal to step S220 of
`FIG. 2, a detailed description with respect to step S420 will
`herein be omitted for the convenience of description.
`0089. The rotation detection unit 170 detects the degree
`of rotation of the touch-screen 132 and the direction of the
`touch-screen 132's rotation (S430).
`0090 For example, the rotation of the touch-screen 132
`using a rotation sensor contained in the rotation detection
`unit 170 may be detected at step S430.
`0091
`Here, the rotation sensor may detect at least one of
`a rotation degree, a rotation angle, a rotation direction, and
`a rotation speed.
`0092. The controller 140 can change the key-arrange
`ment direction of the sensing Zones to another direction
`according to the detected rotation degree and the detected
`rotation direction (S440). Here, the controller 140 maintains
`keys allocated to the sensing Zones without any change.
`0093. For example, if the touch-screen 132 is rotated by
`a predetermined angle of 90° to the right, the key-arrange
`ment direction of the sensing Zones can be rotated by a
`predetermined angle of 90° to the left at step S440. A
`detailed description thereof will be described later with
`reference to FIGS. 6A-6B.
`0094. A changing speed of the key-arrangement direction
`of the sensing Zones according to the rotation speed detected
`by the rotation sensor may be adjusted at step S440.
`0095. Further, the key-arrangement direction to be
`changed from original key-arrangement direction of the
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1025, IPR2021-01161 Page 23 of 29
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`US 2007/01 09276 A1
`
`May 17, 2007
`
`sensing Zones according to the rotation speed detected by the
`rotation sensor can be determined at step S440.
`0096. A variety of examples illustrating a method for
`arranging a plurality of keys allocated to several sensing
`Zones will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS.
`5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D.
`0097. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, the mobile terminal
`according to the present invention includes two displays,
`and at least one of the two displays is a touch-screen. More
`specifically, the display for displaying several keys allocated
`to several sensing Zones is