User interface method for creating multimedia message of mobile communication terminal

Abstract

A user interface method for creating a multimedia message of a mobile communication terminal is disclosed in which menu fields for creating a multimedia message are displayed in one screen, and when inputting content for each menu field is completed, it is automatically switched to a multimedia message-creating screen in which a selecting bar is positioned at the next field. In addition, while a user is using a multimedia function, a current image can be switched to the multimedia message-creating screen according to a user's need. Thus, the number of user's key manipulations can be reduced in creating the multimedia message, thereby enhancing a user's convenience.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing a multimedia message in a mobile terminal, the method comprising:
 receiving a request for operating a first function associated with displaying one or more photographs stored in the mobile terminal;   displaying a thumbnail list of the one or more photographs on a display screen;   receiving a first input for selecting a thumbnail from the thumbnail list;   displaying a photograph related to the selected thumbnail on the display screen in response to the first input;   receiving a second input for operating a second function associated with transmitting the multimedia message with the photograph attached;   displaying an execution screen for the second function in response to the second input, wherein information related to the photograph is included in the execution screen; and   transmitting the multimedia message with the attached photograph to an external terminal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a menu icon for performing at least one of functions related to the photograph is displayed with the photograph on the display screen. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein when the menu icon is selected by a user, a list including items representing the functions related to the photograph is displayed on the display screen. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein one of the items included in the list is associated with operating the second function, and wherein the execution screen is displayed when the one of the items is selected by the user. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the menu icon is located at a bottom portion of the display screen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information related to the photograph is shown as attached to the execution screen. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the information related to the photograph is an image pertaining to the photograph. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information related to the photograph is displayed as a preview image before transmitting the multimedia message. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the execution screen comprises:
 an address field for receiving at least one contact address;   a contact menu for displaying a contact list including at least one contact; and   a text field for receiving a text input.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the execution screen further comprises at least one field for attaching a file to the multimedia message. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the address field is automatically activated to receive a user input when the execution screen is displayed. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein both the information related to the photograph and an address field are simultaneously displayed on the execution screen. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a contact menu for displaying a contact list is displayed with the information related to the photograph and the address field on the execution screen. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 displaying the contact list comprising at least one contact when the displayed contact menu is selected.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 receiving an input for selecting at least one of a plurality of contact addresses via the address field.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 selecting the address field to receive at least one contact address;   displaying the contact list comprising at least one contact when the displayed contact menu is selected;   receiving an input for selecting a specific contact from the contact list; and   displaying contact information of the selected specific contact in response to the input for selecting the specific contact.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the contact list is not displayed when the contact information of the selected specific contact is displayed. 
     
     
         18 . A mobile terminal comprising:
 an input unit configured to receive an input for operating at least a first function or a second function; and   a display configured to display a display screen related to the at least first function or second function, wherein the mobile terminal is configured to:   receive a request for operating the first function associated with displaying one or more photographs stored in the mobile terminal;   display a thumbnail list of the one or more photographs on the display screen;   receive a first input for selecting a thumbnail from the thumbnail list;   display a photograph related to the selected thumbnail on the display screen in response to the first input;   receive a second input for operating the second function associated with transmitting a multimedia message with the photograph attached;   display an execution screen for the second function in response to the second input, wherein information related to the photograph is included in the execution screen; and   transmit the multimedia message with the attached photograph to an external terminal.   
     
     
         19 . The mobile terminal of  claim 18 , wherein the mobile terminal is further configured to display a menu icon for performing at least one of functions related to the photograph with the photograph on the display screen. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile terminal of  claim 19 , wherein the mobile terminal is further configured to display a list including items representing the functions related to the photograph on the display when the menu icon is selected by a user. 
     
     
         21 . The mobile terminal of  claim 20 , wherein one of the items included in the list is associated with operating the second function, and wherein the execution screen is displayed when the one of the items is selected by the user. 
     
     
         22 . The mobile terminal of  claim 19 , wherein the menu icon is located at a bottom portion of the display screen. 
     
     
         23 . The mobile terminal of  claim 18 , wherein the information related to the photograph is shown as attached to the execution screen. 
     
     
         24 . The mobile terminal of  claim 23 , wherein the information related to the photograph is an image pertaining to the photograph. 
     
     
         25 . The mobile terminal of  claim 18 , wherein the execution screen comprises:
 an address field for receiving at least one contact address;   a contact menu for displaying a contact list including at least one contact; and   a text field for receiving a text input.   
     
     
         26 . The mobile terminal of  claim 25 , wherein the execution screen further comprises at least one field to attach a file to the multimedia message. 
     
     
         27 . The mobile terminal of  claim 18 , wherein both the information related to the photograph and an address field are simultaneously displayed on the execution screen. 
     
     
         28 . The mobile terminal of  claim 27 , wherein the mobile terminal is further configured to display a contact menu for displaying a contact list with the information related to the photograph and the address field on the execution screen.