A method and an apparatus for controlling an operation of a mobile terminal are preferably includes: cancelling a touch screen off mode and checking a set mode mapped to a certain key when input of the certain key is sensed while the mobile terminal is in the touch screen off mode. A screen is then displayed for executing the set mode, and displaying and processing of a signal input through a touch screen is performed. The method and apparatus provide an advantage by reducing procedures required by conventional devices in which a user process to execute a desired mode in a mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is in a touch screen off mode. By registering a function to be executed by input of one touch button key while in a touch screen off mode according to user tastes, the present invention accelerates utilization of the mobile terminal.

A key control method, a storage medium, and a smart terminal are provided, wherein the method includes dividing a virtual key area over a touch screen of a smart terminal, and disposing a home key under the touch screen; and detecting different touch operations received by the virtual key area and different pressing operations of the home key, and performing different operations correspondingly by the smart terminal.

A key control method, a storage medium, and a smart terminal are provided, wherein the method includes dividing a virtual key area over a touch screen of a smart terminal, and disposing a home key under the touch screen; and detecting different touch operations received by the virtual key area and different pressing operations of the home key, and performing different operations correspondingly by the smart terminal.

A portable electronic device for instant messaging is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface (GUI) on a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. The GUI has a set of messages exchanged between a user of the device and another person. The set of messages are displayed in a chronological order. In response to detecting a scrolling gesture comprising a substantially vertical movement of a user contact with the touch screen display, the display of messages are scrolled in accordance with a direction of the scrolling gesture. The detecting of the scrolling gesture is substantially independent of a horizontal position of the user contact with the touch screen display.

A portable electronic device for instant messaging is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface (GUI) on a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. The GUI has a set of messages exchanged between a user of the device and another person. The set of messages are displayed in a chronological order. In response to detecting a scrolling gesture comprising a substantially vertical movement of a user contact with the touch screen display, the display of messages are scrolled in accordance with a direction of the scrolling gesture. The detecting of the scrolling gesture is substantially independent of a horizontal position of the user contact with the touch screen display.

A mobile terminal including a first body unit having a display on a front surface, and having an opened end portion; a second body unit coupled to the opened end portion of the first body unit, and having a plurality of keys including a capture mode switching key for switching between a camera capture mode and a general mode of the mobile terminal; and a controller configured to perform a first function in response to a manipulation of a first key among the plurality of keys when a current operation mode of the mobile terminal is the camera capture mode, and perform a second function in response to the manipulation of the first key when the current operation mode of the mobile terminal is the general mode.

Disclosed are a key function control method and a terminal. The method comprises: monitoring an operation on a first key of a terminal, wherein the operation on the first key at least can trigger a primary function and a secondary function, and the primary function refers to a preset logical function corresponding to the operation on the first key; determining whether the operation on the first key can trigger execution of the primary function according to output of a user interface of the terminal; and if not, controlling to execute the secondary function. Also disclosed is a corresponding terminal.

The present invention relates to a small computing device with an improved interface. The interface comprises a display screen which extends the majority of length of the face of the housing, and a plurality of multi-function buttons extending on either side of the display screen.

A cellular telephone or mobile device with several methods of touch, voice, and gesture based input is described. A user is able to interact with a touch screen display on the device to select one or more keys, expand keys, and customize legends or toolbars. A user may deliver spoken audio to the device and actuate a series of commands on the device including search on the device, search on the Internet, accessing an Internet resource, or downloading a document. A user may be able to execute one or more macros on the device. The device may further have a plurality of authentication methods based on the activities on the device. Authentication requests may be made for specific applications or the device. An authentication request may include identifying pictures taken on the device and engaging in activities with the photos.

A cellular telephone or mobile device with several methods of touch, voice, and gesture based input is described. A user is able to interact with a touch screen display on the device to select one or more keys, expand keys, and customize legends or toolbars. A user may deliver spoken audio to the device and actuate a series of commands on the device including search on the device, search on the Internet, accessing an Internet resource, or downloading a document. A user may be able to execute one or more macros on the device. The device may further have a plurality of authentication methods based on the activities on the device. Authentication requests may be made for specific applications or the device. An authentication request may include identifying pictures taken on the device and engaging in activities with the photos.