User interface apparatus and method for user interface in touch device

Abstract

A user interface apparatus includes a position identification unit to identify a first position where a first touch is generated on a display screen; a priority assignment unit to respectively assign priorities to menu items displayed on the display screen; and a menu item movement unit to move the menu items to the first position as a destination according to the assigned priorities and in response to the first touch. A user interface method in a touch device includes identifying a first position where a first touch is generated on a display screen, respectively assigning priorities to menu items displayed on the display screen, and moving the menu items to the first position according to the assigned priorities in response to receiving the first touch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A touch device, comprising:
 a display screen to display menu items;   an area determination unit to determine an area that at least one of the menu items is to be moved on the display screen in response to a first touch input;   a priority assignment unit to respectively assign priorities of movement to the at least one of the menu items based on at least one of respective frequencies of use, respective distances from the area, and user settings; and   a menu item movement unit to move the at least one of the menu items to the area in order of the assigned priorities of movement.   
     
     
         2 . The touch device of  claim 1 , wherein a position of the area is closer to the first touch input position than an initial position of a moved menu item. 
     
     
         3 . The touch device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a submenu display unit to display submenu items belonging to a second touched menu item on the display screen in connection with the second touched menu item if a second touch is inputted at the second touched menu item.   
     
     
         4 . The touch device of  claim 3 , wherein the submenu items are sequentially displayed based on assigned priorities of displaying of the submenu items. 
     
     
         5 . The touch device of  claim 1 , wherein if a second touch is inputted on the display screen, the area determination unit determines a second area that at least one of the menu items is to be moved on the display screen in response to the second touch input, and the menu item movement unit moves the menu items to the second area. 
     
     
         6 . The touch device of  claim 5 , wherein a position of the second area is closer to the second touch input position than an initial position of a moved menu item. 
     
     
         7 . The touch device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an application execution unit to execute an application related to a moved menu item if the first touch is dragged to a position where the moved menu item is displayed on the display screen and is released.   
     
     
         8 . The touch device of  claim 1 , wherein if the first touch is dragged to a position corresponding to no menu items and is released, the menu item movement unit returns the menu items to their respective initial positions on the display screen. 
     
     
         9 . The touch device of  claim 1 , wherein if the first touch is repeatedly inputted during a period of time, the menu item movement unit moves the menu items according to the assigned priorities of movement. 
     
     
         10 . The touch device of  claim 1 , wherein if the first touch is repeatedly inputted during a period of time, the menu item movement unit moves only a menu item having the highest priority among the menu items to the area. 
     
     
         11 . The touch device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an application execution unit to execute a menu item,   wherein if the first touch is repeatedly inputted during a period of time, the application execution unit executes a menu item having the highest priority among the menu items.   
     
     
         12 . The touch device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a file list display unit to display files related to a second touched menu item on the display screen if a second touch is inputted at the second touched menu item moved to the area.   
     
     
         13 . The touch device of  claim 1 , wherein the menu item movement unit determines movement speeds of the menu items by using the respective initial positions of the menu items, respective distances from the area, or respective movement times to the area so that the menu items are moved to the area in order of the assigned priorities of movement. 
     
     
         14 . A method for user interface in a touch device, comprising:
 displaying menu items on a display screen;   determining an area that at least one of the menu items is to be moved on the display screen in response to a first touch input;   respectively assigning priorities of movement to the at least one of the menu items based on at least one of respective frequencies of use, respective distances from the area, and user settings; and   moving the at least one of the menu items to the area in order of the assigned priorities of movement.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 displaying submenu items belonging to a second touched menu item on the display screen in connection with the second touched menu item if a second touch is inputted at the second touched menu item.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 returning the menu items to their respective initial positions on the display screen if the first touch is dragged to a position corresponding to no menu items and is released.