Method and apparatus for controlling content using graphical object

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling content using a graphical object in a mobile terminal are provided, in which the user may create a graphical object on the screen through touch input and easily apply various actions such as copy, delete, move, transfer, attribute change and compress to content items by means of the created graphical object. The content control method includes: detecting a preset touch input; creating a graphical object at a region where the touch input is detected; determining a mode of the created graphical object; linking at least one content item on the screen with the graphical object; and controlling the content item linked therewith depending on the mode of the graphical object. Hence, the user can control a mobile terminal through touch inputs in a more convenient and intuitive manner, increasing user convenience.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for content control based on a graphical object in a terminal, the method comprising:
 receiving a first touch input, the first touch input being a touch gesture including at least two touch points on a touch screen;   displaying on the screen of the touch screen a graphical object at a region associated with the first touch input, the graphical object corresponding to a first function, and a size of the graphical object being adjusted dynamically as a user changes the distance between the two touch points of the first touch input while the first touch input is maintained;   receiving a second touch input on the graphical object, the second touch input being for changing the first function to a second function;   receiving a third touch input on a content item displayed on the screen of the touch screen, the third touch input being a drag gesture from the content item to the graphical object;   displaying the content item to be moved into the graphical object according to the third touch input; and   executing the second function to control the content item.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, in response to releasing the third touch input, displaying the content item within the graphical object. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, while the first touch input is maintained, receiving the second touch input on the region where the graphical object is displayed, wherein the second touch input causes the function to change to a second function; and
 changing the first graphical characteristic of the graphical object to a second graphical characteristic corresponding to the second function.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein executing the second function comprises at least one of:
 automatically determining the second function depending on the application being executed at a creation time of the graphical object;   determining the second function depending on communication connection states of the terminal; and   outputting a function selection list at the creation time of the graphical object and setting the function to a function selected from the function selection list.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein changing the second function further comprises changing at least one of a shape and a color of the graphical object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein executing the second function comprises:
 establishing, when a transmission request is issued in a state in which a function is a transfer function, a communication channel with a preset server; and   sending the content item to the preset server.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first touch input includes a stretch gesture or a pinch gesture. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the graphical object, when the touch gesture is detected, comprises:
 displaying a graphical object when a stretch or pinch interaction in a preset first direction is detected; and   performing a screen zoom-in operation when a stretch input in a preset second direction is detected, and performing a screen zoom-out operation when a pinch input in the preset second direction is detected.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein changing the second function comprises:
 setting the second function to a content display function when a tap input is detected on the graphical object; and   setting the second function to a first transfer function when a long touch input is detected on the graphical object.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical object is movable, and the graphical object is removed from a screen of the terminal when the first touch input is released. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for content control based on a graphical object in a terminal, comprising:
 a touchscreen configured to receive touch inputs and display a screen;   a memory storing instructions; and   at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to at least:
 control to receive a first touch input, the first touch input being a touch gesture including at least two touch points on the touch screen, 
 control to display, on the screen of the touchscreen, a graphical object at a region associated with the first touch input, the graphical object corresponding to a first function, and a size of the graphical object being adjusted dynamically as a changes the distance between the two touch points of the first touch input while the first touch input is maintained, 
 control to receive a second touch input on the graphical object, the second touch input being for changing the first function to a second function, 
 control to receive a third touch input on a content item displayed on the screen of the touch screen, the third touch input being a drag gesture from the content item to the graphical object, 
 control to display the content item to be moved into the graphical object according to the third touch input, and 
 control to execute the second function to control the content item. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions at least further to, in response to releasing the third touch input, control to display the content item within the graphical object. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions at least further to:
 while the first touch input is maintained, control to receive the third touch input on the region where the graphical object is displayed, wherein the third touch input causes the function to change to a second function, and   control to change the first graphical characteristic of the graphical object to a second graphical characteristic corresponding to the second function.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions at least further to:
 automatically control to determine the second function depending on the application being executed at a creation time of the graphical object,   control to determine the function depending on communication connection states of the terminal, and   control to output a function selection list at the creation time of the graphical object and set the function to a function selected from the function selection list.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions at least further to control to change at least one of a shape and a color of the graphical object according to the function change. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first touch input includes a stretch gesture or a pinch gesture. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions at least further to:
 when the touch gesture is detected, control to display a graphical object when a stretch or pinch input in a preset first direction is detected,   control to perform a screen zoom-in operation when a stretch input in a preset second direction is detected, and   control to perform a screen zoom-out operation when a pinch input in the preset second direction is detected.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein, when the graphical object is displayed, the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions at least further to control to display content items, which are stored in a storage region allocated to the graphical object, on the graphical object, so that the content items at most partially overlap each other. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions at least further to:
 control to set the second function to a content display function when a tap input is detected on the graphical object, and   control to set the second function to a first transfer function when a long touch input is detected on the graphical object.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical object is movable, and the graphical object is removed from the touchscreen when the first touch input is released.