Method and apparatus for selecting menu in portable terminal

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus and a method for selecting a menu in a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes a first input means that can be rotated stepwise by a predetermined angle, a second input means that can be continuously rotated and pressed, and a controller for providing a menu list corresponding to the rotation direction of the first input means and the number of steps of rotation of the first input means, changing the position of a cursor on the menu list according to the rotation direction and the rotation degree of the second input means, and performing an operation corresponding to a menu in which the cursor is located when the second input means is pressed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is the perspective view of a wristwatch type portable terminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable communication terminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a portable terminal according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A through 4C are screen shots illustrating display screens of a portable terminal according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A portable terminal comprising: a first input means that can be rotated stepwise by a predetermined angle;a second input means that can be continuously rotated and pressed; anda controller for:providing a menu list corresponding to the rotation direction of the first input means and the number of steps of rotation of the first input means: changing a position of a cursor on the menu list according to the rotation direction and the rotation degree of the second input means; andperforming an operation corresponding to a menu in which the cursor is located when the second input means is pressed.

2. The portable terminal of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for sensing the rotation direction of the first input means and the number of steps of rotation of the first input means, and at least one of the rotation direction and the rotation degree of the second input means.

3. The portable terminal of claim 1, wherein the first input means is mounted along the outer periphery of the portable terminal.

4. The portable terminal of claim 1, wherein the second input means is mounted at a side of the portable terminal.

5. The portable terminal of claim 1, wherein the first input means includes a plurality of key buttons.

6. A method for selecting a menu in a portable terminal, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a menu list in response to a stepwise rotation of a first element a predetermined angle;changing the position of a cursor on the menu list, in response to continuously rotating a second element; andperforming an operation corresponding to a menu in which the cursor is located in response to a depression of the second element.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the displaying step comprises displaying the menu list corresponding to a direction of rotation and a number of steps of rotation.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the changing step comprises changing the position of the cursor according to direction and amount of angular rotation.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first element is situated about a display and rotates about an axis which extends substantially normal to the display.

10. A wristwatch-type portable terminal comprising: a first input means that is mounted along the outer circumference of a main body such that the first input means can be rotated stepwise by a predetermined angle;a second input means rotating about an axis, the second input means being mounted at a side of the main body such that is can be rotated about the axis in a continuous fashion and can be pressed in a direction that is parallel to the axis; anda controller for displaying a corresponding menu list for each stepwise rotation of the first input means, changing the position of a cursor on the menu list according to a rotation of the second input means, and performing an operation corresponding to a menu in which the cursor is located according to the pressing of the second input means.

11. The wristwatch type portable terminal of claim 9, wherein the first input means is a vessel mounted along the outer circumference of a wristwatch.

12. The wristwatch type portable terminal of claim 9, wherein the second input means is a stern mounted to protrude from a side of the wristwatch.