US7889180B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 0.2 years remaining
Method for searching menu in mobile communication terminal
Assignee: LG Electronics Inc
•
Filing: 2006-12-28
•
Granted: 2011-02-15
•
Expires: 2026-12-28
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method for searching a menu in a mobile communication terminal, wherein a plurality of main menus and sub menus of each main menu are simultaneously searched on a single menu screen using various navigational keys.
Inventors
- 👤 Yu Chan Byun
- 👤 Chan Yong Park
- 👤 Jun Hyoung Koo
- 👤 Jin Soo Lee
- 👤 Yu Sung Baek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/40; G06F3/04817; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72469; G09; G09G; G09G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 74
Claim 1
Independent Claim
298 words
A method of displaying in a mobile communication terminal having a first area for displaying status information, a second area for menu information, and a third area for menu information and a fourth area for displaying a soft key, comprising: displaying main menu items in a first direction on the second area of the display screen; displaying sub menu items corresponding to a selected one of the main menu items on the third area of the display screen, the sub menu items being displayed in a second direction of the display screen while the main menu items are being displayed; selecting one of the displayed sub menu items; in response to selecting one of the sub menu items displayed in the second direction, displaying a new window on the display screen containing detailed lists corresponding to the selected sub menu item, wherein the new window partially overlaps the sub menu items displayed on the display screen while at least one of the main menu items is displayed on the second area of the display; and highlighting a region around a first one of the displayed detailed lists to distinguish the first one of the displayed detailed lists from a second one of the displayed detailed lists, wherein the third area is provided in a shape of a window that displays an application type icon or a list type icon and includes a plurality of regions for allocating the plurality of sub menu items, and the window displays a scroll bar when non-displayed sub menu items exist, the scroll bar for scrolling thru the allocated plurality of sub menu items and the non-displayed sub menu items, wherein the window of the third area distinguishes the third area of the display screen from the second area of the display screen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
298 words
A method of displaying in a mobile communication terminal having a first area for displaying status information, a second area for menu information, and a third area for menu information and a fourth area for displaying a soft key, comprising: displaying main menu items in a first direction on the second area of the display screen; displaying sub menu items corresponding to a selected one of the main menu items on the third area of the display screen, the sub menu items being displayed in a second direction of the display screen while the main menu items are being displayed; selecting one of the displayed sub menu items; in response to selecting one of the sub menu items displayed in the second direction, displaying a new window on the display screen containing detailed lists corresponding to the selected sub menu item, wherein the new window partially overlaps the sub menu items displayed on the display screen while at least one of the main menu items is displayed on the second area of the display; and highlighting a region around a first one of the displayed detailed lists to distinguish the first one of the displayed detailed lists from a second one of the displayed detailed lists, wherein the third area is provided in a shape of a window that displays an application type icon or a list type icon and includes a plurality of regions for allocating the plurality of sub menu items, and the window displays a scroll bar when non-displayed sub menu items exist, the scroll bar for scrolling thru the allocated plurality of sub menu items and the non-displayed sub menu items, wherein the window of the third area distinguishes the third area of the display screen from the second area of the display screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of desired functions includes one of vibration of the terminal and a ring of the terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the detailed list includes a plurality of options.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the detailed list relates to controlling a feature corresponding to the selected sub menu item.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the sub menu items are displayed on the display screen when the new window partially overlaps the sub menu items.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first menu items are displayed on the display screen when the new window partially overlaps the sub menu items.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the third area is provided in the shape of the window that displays both the application type icon and the list type icon.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
320 words
A method of displaying in a mobile communication terminal having a first area for displaying status information, a second area for menu information, a third area for menu information and a fourth area for displaying a soft key, comprising: displaying first menu items in a first direction on the second area of a display screen; displaying second menu items corresponding to a selected one of the first menu items on the third area of the display screen, the second menu items being displayed in a second direction of the display screen while the first menu items are being displayed; selecting one of the displayed second menu items; in response to selecting one of the second menu items, displaying a new window on the display screen containing information of the selected second menu item, wherein displaying the new window includes displaying a detailed list of a plurality of desired functions in the new window corresponding to the selected second menu item, and wherein the new window partially overlaps at least one of the second menu items displayed on the display screen while at least one of the first menu items is displayed on the second area of the display screen; and highlighting a region around a first one of the displayed functions to distinguish the first one of the displayed functions from a second one of the displayed functions, wherein the third area is provided in a shape of a window that displays an application type icon or a list type icon and includes a plurality of regions for allocating the plurality of second menu items, and the window displays a scroll bar when non-displayed second menu items exist, the scroll bar for scrolling thru the allocated plurality of second menu items and the non-displayed second menu items, wherein the window of the third area distinguishes the third area of the display screen from the second area of the display screen.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
320 words
A method of displaying in a mobile communication terminal having a first area for displaying status information, a second area for menu information, a third area for menu information and a fourth area for displaying a soft key, comprising: displaying first menu items in a first direction on the second area of a display screen; displaying second menu items corresponding to a selected one of the first menu items on the third area of the display screen, the second menu items being displayed in a second direction of the display screen while the first menu items are being displayed; selecting one of the displayed second menu items; in response to selecting one of the second menu items, displaying a new window on the display screen containing information of the selected second menu item, wherein displaying the new window includes displaying a detailed list of a plurality of desired functions in the new window corresponding to the selected second menu item, and wherein the new window partially overlaps at least one of the second menu items displayed on the display screen while at least one of the first menu items is displayed on the second area of the display screen; and highlighting a region around a first one of the displayed functions to distinguish the first one of the displayed functions from a second one of the displayed functions, wherein the third area is provided in a shape of a window that displays an application type icon or a list type icon and includes a plurality of regions for allocating the plurality of second menu items, and the window displays a scroll bar when non-displayed second menu items exist, the scroll bar for scrolling thru the allocated plurality of second menu items and the non-displayed second menu items, wherein the window of the third area distinguishes the third area of the display screen from the second area of the display screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the first menu items correspond to a first menu and the second menu items correspond to a second menu.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the first menu and the second menu are arranged hierarchically, and the first menu is arranged higher than the second menu.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein selecting the one of the displayed second menus items includes selecting the one of the displayed second menu items using a key of the mobile communication terminal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the key comprises one of a plurality of navigation keys.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the key comprises a side key located on a side of the mobile communication terminal other than a side having the display screen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the scroll bar is displayed in the window of the third area at an area adjacent the displayed second menu items.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the first menu items comprise icons.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the second menu items comprise icons.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the first direction comprises a horizontal direction and the second direction comprises a vertical direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising displaying an indicator in the second area of the display screen near the displayed first menu items to identify existence of non-displayed first menu items.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the indicator comprises an arrow.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising selecting one of the first menu items.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising displaying a name of the selected first menu item.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the name is displayed at an upper portion of the display screen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the second menu items are displayed on a second menu window positioned in a bottom portion of the display screen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the name of the selected second menu window is displayed at a prescribed portion of an upper portion of the second menu window.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the first menu items are displayed as icons, and selecting the one of the first menu items includes displaying the selected one of the first menu items as an icon with a shaded background.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising displaying the selected first menu item in a shaded manner to represent that the first menu item has been selected.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 , where displaying the second menu items includes displaying a check box besides at least one of the second menu items.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein displaying the second menu items includes displaying at least one of the items as an application type icon or as a list type icon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising displaying information regarding a set feature of the mobile communication terminal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising highlighting one of the displayed second menu items.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein highlighting one of the displayed second menu items includes highlighting an area around the displayed second menu item.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising providing movement between the first menu items by using left and right keys or up and down keys provided in the mobile communication terminal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein when the first menu items are changed, the second menu items of the newly selected first menu item are simultaneously displayed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the first menu items are continuously displayed regardless of the selection of the second menu items.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the third area is provided in the shape of the window that displays both the application type icon and the list type icon.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
326 words
A method of displaying in a mobile communication terminal having a first area for displaying status information, a second area for menu information, a third area for menu information and a fourth area for displaying a soft key, comprising: displaying first menu items on the second area of the display screen such that a first one of the first menu items is adjacent to a second one of the first menu items in a first direction; displaying second menu items corresponding to the first one of the first menu items on the third area of the display screen, the second menu items being displayed in a second direction of the display screen while information corresponding to the first one of the first menu items is being displayed in the second area of the display screen; selecting one displayed second menu item; in response to selecting one of the second menu items, displaying a new window on the display screen containing a detailed list corresponding to the selected second menu item, wherein the new window partially overlaps at least one of the second menu items displayed on the third area of the display screen while at least one of the main menu items is displayed on the second area of the display screen; and highlighting a region around a first one of the displayed detailed lists to distinguish the first one of the displayed detailed lists from a second one of the displayed detailed lists, wherein the third area is provided in a shape of a window that displays an application type icon or a list type icon and includes a plurality of regions for allocating the plurality of second menu items, and the window displays a scroll bar for scrolling the allocated plurality of second menu items when non-displayed second menu items exist, wherein the window of the third area distinguishes the third area of the display screen from the second area of the display screen.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
326 words
A method of displaying in a mobile communication terminal having a first area for displaying status information, a second area for menu information, a third area for menu information and a fourth area for displaying a soft key, comprising: displaying first menu items on the second area of the display screen such that a first one of the first menu items is adjacent to a second one of the first menu items in a first direction; displaying second menu items corresponding to the first one of the first menu items on the third area of the display screen, the second menu items being displayed in a second direction of the display screen while information corresponding to the first one of the first menu items is being displayed in the second area of the display screen; selecting one displayed second menu item; in response to selecting one of the second menu items, displaying a new window on the display screen containing a detailed list corresponding to the selected second menu item, wherein the new window partially overlaps at least one of the second menu items displayed on the third area of the display screen while at least one of the main menu items is displayed on the second area of the display screen; and highlighting a region around a first one of the displayed detailed lists to distinguish the first one of the displayed detailed lists from a second one of the displayed detailed lists, wherein the third area is provided in a shape of a window that displays an application type icon or a list type icon and includes a plurality of regions for allocating the plurality of second menu items, and the window displays a scroll bar for scrolling the allocated plurality of second menu items when non-displayed second menu items exist, wherein the window of the third area distinguishes the third area of the display screen from the second area of the display screen.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 36 , further comprising: selecting a key to display information in the second area of the screen, the displayed information corresponding to a second one of the first menu items; and displaying second menu items corresponding to the second one of the first menu items while the information corresponding to the second one of the first menu items is being displayed in the second area of the display screen.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein selecting the one displayed second menu item comprises selecting one of the displayed second menu items corresponding to the second one of the first menu items.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the detailed list includes a plurality of desired functions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the detailed list includes a plurality of options.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the detailed list relates to controlling a feature corresponding to the selected second menu item.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein selecting the one of the displayed second menu items includes selecting the one of the displayed second menu items using a key of the mobile communication terminal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein the key comprises one of a plurality of navigation keys.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein the key comprises a side key located on a side of the mobile communication terminal other than a side having the display screen.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the scroll bar is displayed in the window of the third area at an area adjacent the displayed second menu items.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the first menu items comprise icons.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the second menu items comprise icons.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 36 , further comprising displaying an indicator in the second area of the display screen near the displayed first menu items to identify existence of non-displayed first menu items.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 48 , wherein the indicator comprises an arrow.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 36 , further comprising selecting one of the displayed first menu items.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 50 , further comprising displaying a name of the selected first menu item.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein the name is displayed at an upper portion of the display screen.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein the second menu items are displayed on a second menu window positioned in a bottom portion of the display screen.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 50 , further comprising displaying the selected first menu item in a shaded manner to represent that the first menu item has been selected.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 36 , further comprising displaying information regarding a set feature of the mobile communication terminal.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 36 , further comprising highlighting one of the displayed second menu items.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 56 , wherein highlighting one of the displayed second menu items includes highlighting an area around the displayed second menu item.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the third area is provided in the shape of the window that displays both the application type icon and the list type icon.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
317 words
A mobile communication terminal, comprising: a display screen, the display screen including a first area for displaying status information, a second area for menu information, a third area for menu information and a fourth area for displaying a soft key; and a plurality of keys, wherein the display screen to display first menu items in a first direction on the second area of the display screen and to display second menu items in a second direction on the third area of the display screen while the first menu items are being displayed, the second menu items corresponding to a selected one of the first menu items, wherein in response to a user selecting one of the displayed second menu items using one of the keys, the display screen to display a new window on the display screen containing information of the selected second menu item, wherein the new window includes a detailed list corresponding to the selected second menu item, and wherein the detailed list relates to a plurality of desired functions of the mobile communication terminal, wherein the new window overlaps a portion of the second menu items while the display screen also displays a portion of the first menu items, wherein the display screen to highlight a region around a first one of the displayed functions to distinguish the first one of the displayed functions from a second one of the displayed functions, wherein the third area is provided in a shape of a window that displays an application type icon or a list type icon and includes a plurality of regions for allocating the plurality of second menu items, and the window displays a scroll bar for scrolling the allocated plurality of second menu items when non-displayed second menu items exist, wherein the window of the third area distinguishes the third area of the display screen from the second area of the display screen.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
317 words
A mobile communication terminal, comprising: a display screen, the display screen including a first area for displaying status information, a second area for menu information, a third area for menu information and a fourth area for displaying a soft key; and a plurality of keys, wherein the display screen to display first menu items in a first direction on the second area of the display screen and to display second menu items in a second direction on the third area of the display screen while the first menu items are being displayed, the second menu items corresponding to a selected one of the first menu items, wherein in response to a user selecting one of the displayed second menu items using one of the keys, the display screen to display a new window on the display screen containing information of the selected second menu item, wherein the new window includes a detailed list corresponding to the selected second menu item, and wherein the detailed list relates to a plurality of desired functions of the mobile communication terminal, wherein the new window overlaps a portion of the second menu items while the display screen also displays a portion of the first menu items, wherein the display screen to highlight a region around a first one of the displayed functions to distinguish the first one of the displayed functions from a second one of the displayed functions, wherein the third area is provided in a shape of a window that displays an application type icon or a list type icon and includes a plurality of regions for allocating the plurality of second menu items, and the window displays a scroll bar for scrolling the allocated plurality of second menu items when non-displayed second menu items exist, wherein the window of the third area distinguishes the third area of the display screen from the second area of the display screen.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
26 words
The terminal of claim 59 , wherein the first menu items correspond to a first menu and the second menu items correspond to a second menu.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
31 words
The terminal of claim 59 , wherein the one key comprises a side key located on a side of the mobile communication terminal other than a side having the display screen.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
21 words
The terminal of claim 59 , wherein the display screen displays the scroll bar in the window of the third area.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
35 words
The terminal of claim 59 , wherein the display screen displays an indicator in the second area of the display screen near the displayed first menu items to identify existence of non-displayed first menu items.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
19 words
The terminal of claim 59 , wherein the display screen displays a name of the selected first menu item.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
21 words
The terminal of claim 64 , wherein the display screen displays the name at an upper portion of the display screen.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
30 words
The terminal of claim 59 , wherein the display screen displays the selected first menu item in a shaded manner to represent that the first menu item has been selected.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
The terminal of claim 59 , wherein the display screen displays a check box besides at least one of the second menu items.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
18 words
The terminal of claim 59 , wherein the display screen highlights one of the displayed second menu items.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
28 words
The terminal of claim 68 , wherein the display screen highlights one of the displayed second menu items by highlighting an area around the displayed second menu item.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
30 words
The terminal of claim 59 , wherein the third area is provided in the shape of the window that displays both the application type icon and the list type icon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2014-02-14 | 2014-08-16 | 2015-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2018-02-14 | 2018-08-16 | 2019-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2022-02-14 | 2022-08-16 | 2023-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |