Method of dividing screen areas and mobile terminal employing the same

Abstract

A method of supporting divided screen areas and a mobile terminal employing the same are disclosed. The method includes: generating input signals for one of sequentially and simultaneously activating a plurality of user functions; activating the user functions according to generated input signals; dividing a screen into divided screen areas that correspond to activated user functions; and outputting functional view areas associated with the activated user functions to the corresponding divided screen areas.

1 . A screen area dividing method for a mobile terminal, comprising:
 generating a plurality of input signals for any of sequentially and simultaneously activating a plurality of user functions;   activating the plurality of user functions according to at least one of the plurality of generated input signals;   dividing the screen into a plurality of divided screen areas each corresponding to at least one of the plurality of user functions; and   outputting a functional view area associated with each of the plurality of activated user functions to the corresponding divided screen area of the plurality of divided screen areas.   
     
     
         2 . The screen area dividing method of  claim 1 , wherein dividing the screen into a plurality of divided screen areas is invoked by at least one of:
 when a dual menu item that is created for at least one of divided screen area formation and for outputting functional view areas associated with menus is activated, performing—
 first, activating user functions in sequence, and 
 generating an input signal for requesting to make a divided screen area; 
 formation after activating user functions in sequence; 
   after a first user function is activated, performing—
 generating an input signal for activating a subordinate function of the first user function, and 
 activating an event generation function on the basis of one of an internal and external system event; and 
   generating an input signal for activating a user function and a subordinate function of the user function.   
     
     
         3 . The screen area dividing method of  claim 1 , wherein outputting a functional view area comprises one of:
 displaying, according to activation of independent user functions, a functional view area associated with the independent user functions on the corresponding divided screen area;   displaying, according to repeated activation of a user function, a functional view area associated with each instance of the user function on the corresponding divided screen area;   displaying a functional view area associated with a first user function and a functional view area associated with a second user function related to the first user function on the corresponding divided screen area; and   displaying a functional view area associated with a user function and a functional view area associated with a subordinate user function of the user function on the corresponding divided screen area.   
     
     
         4 . The screen area dividing method of  claim 1 , further comprising transitioning between functional view areas on the divided screen areas according to an input signal. 
     
     
         5 . The screen area dividing method of  claim 4 , wherein transitioning between functional view areas comprises one of:
 when a search view area is output in response to an input signal after divided screen area formation and a new user function is selected from the search view area, replacing one of the functional view areas being output on the divided screen areas with a functional view area associated with the newly selected user function; and   when a menu view area is output in response to an input signal after divided screen area formation and a new menu item is selected from the menu view area, replacing one of the functional view areas being output on the divided screen areas with a functional view area associated with the newly selected menu item.   
     
     
         6 . The screen area dividing method of  claim 5 , wherein outputting the menu view area comprises:
 resizing each functional view area being output on the divided screen areas; and   displaying the menu view area among the resized functional view areas.   
     
     
         7 . The screen area dividing method of  claim 5 , wherein, when the new menu item selected from the menu view area is a dual menu item, the functional view areas being output on the corresponding divided screen areas are replaced with functional view areas associated with the selected dual menu item. 
     
     
         8 . The screen area dividing method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing function interworking by carrying out at least one of insertion, search, copy, transfer, and invoking of information between the functional view areas on the divided screen areas. 
     
     
         9 . The screen area dividing method of  claim 8 , wherein performing function interworking between a first and a second functional view area, comprises at least one of:
 copying an information item displayed in the first functional view area to the second functional view area;   utilizing an information item displayed in the first functional view area, carrying out a search in the second functional view area;   finding at least one file listed in the first functional view area and attaching the found file in the second functional view area;   utilizing an information item displayed in the first functional view area to one of make a call and view a map in the second functional view area;   moving and saving an information item displayed in the first functional view area to the second functional view area;   using an information item displayed in the first functional view area, connecting to a server from the second functional view area; and   moving a list item displayed in the first functional view area to a selected folder in the second functional view area.   
     
     
         10 . The screen area dividing method of  claim 1 , further comprising outputting a dual menu item that combines two items together, wherein the dual menu item is capable of activating a plurality of user functions. 
     
     
         11 . A mobile terminal capable of supporting divided screen areas, comprising:
 a storage unit for storage of a plurality of application programs realizing user functions;   an input unit for generation of input signals for one of sequentially and simultaneously activating user functions;   a control unit for activation of user functions according to input signals, and output of functional view areas associated with the user functions on the divided screen areas; and   a display unit for display of the functional view areas.   
     
     
         12 . The mobile terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the input unit performs at least one of:
 generation of an input signal for—
 selection of a dual menu item that is created for divided screen area formation, 
 output of functional view areas associated with menus, and 
 request of divided screen area formation after activation of user functions in sequence; 
   after a first user function is activated, generation of an input signal to activate a subordinate function of the first user function; and   generation of an input signal for activation of a user function and a subordinate function of the activated user function.   
     
     
         13 . The mobile terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the display unit provides at least one of:
 display of functional view areas associated with the independent user functions on the corresponding divided screen areas according to activation of independent user functions;   display of functional view areas associated with instances of the user function on the corresponding divided screen areas according to repeated activation of a user function;   display of a functional view area associated with a first user function and a functional view area associated with a second user function related to the first user function on the corresponding divided screen area;   display of a functional view area associated with a user function and a functional view area associated with a subordinate user function of the displayed user function on the corresponding divided screen area; and   display of a functional view area associated with an activated first user function and a functional view area associated with an event generation function corresponding to one of an internal and external system event on the corresponding divided screen area.   
     
     
         14 . The mobile terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the display unit outputs a search view area containing at least one icon for display of a functional view area after divided screen area formation, and outputs a menu view area containing at least one menu for display of a functional view area after divided screen area formation. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile terminal of  claim 14 , wherein the control unit controls, in response to an input signal for output of the menu view area, the display unit to resize each of the functional view areas being output on the divided screen areas and to display the menu view area among the resized functional view areas, and controls, when a dual menu item is selected from the menu view area, the display unit to replace the functional view areas being output on the divided screen areas with functional view areas associated with the selected dual menu item. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit controls an operation through the display unit for output of a first functional view area and a second functional view area to:
 copy an information item displayed in the first functional view area to the second functional view area;   carry out, utilizing an information item displayed in the first functional view area, a search in the second functional view area;   find at least one file listed in the first functional view area and attach the found file in the second functional view area;   utilize an information item displayed in the first functional view area to one of make a call and view a map in the second functional view area;   move an information item displayed in the first functional view area to the second functional view area and store the moved information item;   connect to, using an information item displayed in the first functional view area, a server from the second functional view area; and   move a list item displayed in the first functional view area to a selected folder in the second functional view area.   
     
     
         17 . The mobile terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the display unit outputs an icon for generation of an input signal to request divided screen area formation. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile terminal of  claim 17 , wherein the display unit outputs an icon for generation of an input signal to return from divided screen area formation to a full screen format. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the display unit adjusts the size of the functional view areas displayed in the divided screen areas in accordance with an input signal. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the display unit outputs a dual menu item that combines two items together that is capable of activation of a plurality of user functions.